And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” Then Samuel took a horn of oil and anointed hi in the midset of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon Dvid from that day forward. (1 Samuel 16:12-13, ESV).
In the previous devotion, we reviewed how God called Samuel to anoint David as the future king of Israel. We found three key points Samuel did to follow God’s directive: get over the past with King Saul, be filled with the Holy Spirit, and go to the new king. Let’s look at how these three points can guide us as we look for the Davids and the future of Christian nursing.
In 1 Samuel chapter 16, we read how Samuel examined all of Jesse’s sons, yet the Lord did not direct Samuel to anoint them. The Lord was not looking for the smartest or the tallest son of Jessee. Instead, the Lord was looking at the “heart” of each son (16:7). David was summoned from the field, anointed by Samuel, and was immediately filled with the Spirit of the Lord. Once again, Samuel had to listen to the Holy Spirit and remove his preconceived ideas of a future king. Like Samuel, David allowed the Holy Spirit to direct his path, which is our first point: Listen to the Holy Spirit. Remember, David was a simple shepherd boy who turned king by listening to the Lord.
This leads to our next point which is Get over the future. Be willing for the Lord to change your life radically. David went from being a shepherd to “king in training.” I am sure David never imagined being king. He was son number eight! He was probably quite content getting married, having a family, and working for his older brothers. Thankfully for the Israelites and Christians, God had other ideas. David spent 15 years preparing to become king. He soothed Saul by playing his harp, killed Goliath, developed a close friendship with Jonathon, conquered many territories for King Saul, and penned many Psalms.
Today, when we look at getting over our future, it may mean ditching our nursing dreams. I will be brave and say that for many cultures, especially here in the West, planning out our life, career, and future is more than expected; it is demanded. Before high school, we are expected to create a career plan, strategize having 2.5 children, money for a house, etc. We don’t leave room for God to direct “his will be done” in how we use our talents in nursing for the Kingdom. I think that, as followers of Christ, it is a sin. There I was blunt. I call it a sin because anytime anything is of more importance than God’s will, then it is a sin—enough about that.
Be flexible with your nursing future and allow God to come in and make changes.
The final step for both Samuel and David is to Go. David had to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and go where the Lord sent. I can imagine when David was playing the harp for Saul, he wondered about the validity of Samuel’s anointing. Yet, David went and followed the Spirit wherever it led.
My nursing career differs from what I imagined thirty years ago as a new graduate strategizing to work in the ER or ICU. The Lord intervened when, 20+ years ago, I returned to school for a graduate degree with the original plan of being a clinical nurse specialist. Instead, the Lord called me into academics as a nurse educator.
When I came for my job interview, I walked around the campus weeping joyfully. Jesus had done two amazing things that day, and 20 + years later, he continues to do. He brought me back to the place I had met Him. For, I became a believer while taking my science courses. I knew He was calling me back to where we had met. Second, Jesus gave me the desire of my heart. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37 3). When many nurses reflect on their childhood career dreams, they say they wanted to be nurses. Not me. I wanted to be a teacher. 😊So, the Lord took the desires of my heart, weaved my talent for nursing, and created my career in academics. This passion and heart reaches out to you through my work with NCFI over the past 14 years. Sharing my love with Jesus and passion for nursing.
Whether you are a Samuel, with years in Christian nursing, or a David, who is just entering, follow their example:
- Listen to the Holy Spirt
- Let Go of the Past or the Future—whichever one is getting in your way.
- Go.
As a Samuel, go looking for the future of Christian nursing and find all those creative, talented Davids. If you are a David, let God be radically brave with your nursing career. He may have something amazing in store for you. So, that others can say the following about you:
A servant of Saul described David, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the Lord is with him.” (16:18).
mentoring
NCFI Cares: Double Portion of the Spirit
Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken brom you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” (2 Kings 2:9, ESV)
At NCFI, we are looking for ways to encourage the next generation of nurses. Whether through mentoring, fellowship, or networking; the global nursing community is focused on bringing along those nurses entering the profession. As a Christian, there are many biblical examples of older or mature believers reaching out to younger or less experienced Christians. We think of Paul and Timothy (1 & 2 Timothy).
There are Moses and Joshua. I wrote a few devotions on this leadership relationship and the wonderful advice Moses gave his successor.
Another mentoring relationship we may not be as familiar with is Elijah and Elisha. Elijah chose Elisha as his servant (1 Kings 19:19). Elisha accompanied Elijah for six years until it was time for Elijah to go to heaven. Then the time came for Elisha to assume the role of prophet. Elisha asked for a double portion of the Spirit.
The Lord grants Elisha’s requests and we immediately read how Elisha performs greater miracles than Elijah (parting of the waters, doubling of oil, raising the dead, etc).
As we think of the next generations, Elijah’s example can provide us with great insight into how we can create a succession plan.
First, choose someone who will replace you. This may sound hard to believe, but none of us will be in ministry forever. Today is the day you begin praying for your replacement.
Second, have the person work alongside you in ministry. Not just any task, but the tasks that you are currently doing. If you organize meetings, have the person organize meetings. If you write reports, have the person write reports. You get the idea.
Third, finally, plan on giving them a double portion of what you need to perform your ministry duties. Like Elijah, we can’t dispense the Spirit to others, but we can pray for them. We can give them more than we have had for ministry, such as more training, hours, and resources. Thus ensuring they would become more successful than we were.
Fostering Future Nurses
First, I will go on the record to say…I am late with this blog entry. My life has gotten away from me and I am trying to get back on track.
As a a Christian professional you may have asked, “What is the difference between mentoring and discipleship?” Mentoring is tailored for professional development from a more experienced colleague. Discipleship, like mentoring, uses the process of experience guiding the less experienced (Paul & Timothy in the NT is a great example. But, the focuses is on the spiritual maturation of the individual. Many Christians may have or have had a mature Christian guide them in the early years of faith. The article Fostering Future Nurses in Journal of Christian Nursing discusses how Christian nurses can merge discipleship with mentoring for a caring, committed relationship to guide future professionals in cultivating a Christian nurse.
As an experienced nurse, I have had great mentors guide me as a professional nurse. My first mentor was a nurse I worked with in the hospital who really cultivated my critical thinking. When I left the hospital to teach, I told her it was because of her guidance that developed my clinical judgment and led to my move to academics. My next mentor was an excellent professor who was first my teacher then a colleague. She really gave me a solid foundation for teaching/learning, curriculum, and academic leadership.
How about you? Share your great nursing mentors…I look forward to hearing from you!
Carrie
Carrie Dameron 
