LIVING TO LOVE AND SERVE OTHERS

I spent my first 23 years on earth living for myself and my personal achievements. I wanted to work hard in college so I could go to medical school and then become a doctor. It wasn’t until meeting a girl in college (who would later become my wife) that I discovered achievements alone wouldn’t satisfy me. As I sat reading Tim Keller’s “The Reason for God” after getting into medical school, I realized that no matter what I accomplished on this earth for myself, it would be lackluster. I would still have a feeling of emptiness. God compelled me to put my faith in Him and I realized that He was the only thing to fill that hole. I’m thankful for becoming a Christian just before the beginning of medical school because it helped teach me how to love and serve others. I’ve been fortunate enough to serve and pray for patients, and talk to my science and medical colleagues about my faith. One of the most rewarding parts of moving to a new city for my medical school journey has been using my home to bless those around me. In our three years here, our guest room has been constantly filled with friends or acquaintances who needed a place to stay for a night, week or month. Family of friends who come to town are able to stay in the comfort of our home instead of an impersonal hotel. College students from our church spend evenings sprawled out in our living room, studying for exams as my wife passes out snacks. Our dining room table and kitchen island have served as places to share meals with countless friends and strangers. One of my favorite traditions was having medical students who are believers over to our home, where we would all eat together, and the older classes shared with the younger classes what it meant to be a Christian in the hospital, and how to love and serve their patients and superiors. While it will still be a few years before I regularly interact with and care for patients, the Lord has taught me what it means to love by His Son’s sacrificial death, and how to love and serve those around me.