I am 5 weeks into med school! Agh I know when and how did that happen. The Lord knew exactly where to place me, even as I struggled with the insecurity of not knowing, and I am loving it. I love learning daily and being challenged even when that means receiving an overwhelming amount of material daily (which we do!). I love the people; the faculty, staff, my classmates, patients in the community. (side note: I'm in love with the geriatric population in my city, watch out peds). I love knowing that I'm ankle deep (if even) into starting the career that I have desired to pursue since I was a child. This is an important thing to remind myself during the sleepless night & long days. It has been a long journey getting to this point and I should never run out of things to be grateful for.
As challenging and exciting that these weeks of change have been, I have to ask/remind myself: how does the gospel interplay in my new role as a med student?
We often feel comfortable living out the gospel in well defined ministry roles, but fail to contemplate how its truths penetrate every area of our lives as a believer. How I speak, act, and show love towards others. My ambitions and daily motivations. How I respond to criticism, and more.
I scroll through my friends pictures who are embarking on months of overseas missions or planting churches in unreached cities across the U.S. and as much as I am excited for them my heart can often become envious.
I know that I am not alone, in this world of figuring out how to live as Christ's disciple outside of a commonly defined ministry role.
I don't have all the answers, or even many at that, but I do know one thing. Whether in med school, working at an office, teaching children, or working as a missionary in a third world country. As believers we are called to preach, convey, savor, and live out the gospel. As I learn what that looks like in my life as a first year medical student, I echo Paul's request for prayer:
"and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." Ephesians 6:19-20
-Steph
