The past week has indeed been eventful. I've spent the last 3 weeks on acute receiving and in all honesty, was dreading the thought of it, as my days there as a student were not my most fond memories of medical school. While I managed to live out the days on the ward well enough, I was still counting down to the days when it would be over; that is, until last Wednesday. As doctors, the greatest nightmare is to be admitted to hospital. For me, nothing was more mortifying than having to collapse in front of the entire medical team and to be admitted as a patient, an experience that definitely does not bear repeating. While some tell me that it was fortunate to be there in the right place at the right time, I couldn't disagree more. Nonetheless, seeing myself through the eyes of a patient gave me a much greater appreciation of my time on the ward. I do not relish the idea of ever being a patient again, but it was a great feeling to know what it was like being managed by my colleagues and seniors, especially now knowing that I had been in such good hands. Now that my time there is ending, I admit I am very much loathe to leave it.
But of course, there is much more than just the medical drama on the wards. I still ask myself the same question each day - 'Have I lived the life that God has called me to live?' Unfortunately, some days I have to shamefully admit a resounding 'no' but there are days when I can smile at the work God has been doing in my life, those days when my human nature doesn't take centre stage. In everyone's life, there will be always be people who we cross paths with, people who rub us the wrong way and vice versa and how we handle these experiences define who we are. In the past few days, God has been speaking to me through 1 Peter 2 and 3 - to be submissive, humble and to treat others with gentleness and respect.
''Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing... But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.'' 1 Peter 3:8-9, 15-16
