¹Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? ²Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. ³Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. ⁴Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. ⁵You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Philippians 2:1-5

It has been a really long time since I’ve lain awake at night, unable to sleep, plagued with anxious thoughts. Thursday morning, I was awakened by something around 2:30 a.m. Sleep evaded me for several hours. During those awake hours, my mind kept returning to a conversation I had the previous evening.

My oldest daughter is an RN in a doctor’s office. This week she was at the hospital and ran into a colleague she worked with in her first job after college. They chatted awhile and then my daughter asked the other nurse how she was doing. She paused, her eyes brimmed with tears and she replied, “Exhausted!” Turning away without further explanation, she rushed to her car. Later she messaged my daughter to explain her hurried retreat, apologizing for not being able to stay and chat. Work at the hospital has been so challenging for her.

I laid awake thinking of this dear woman and the challenges she faces every day. Not only her, but staff in all hospitals. My heart broke as I pondered how desperate she felt. Having volunteered in the hospital with the Chaplain’s office, I had a clear picture of isolation rooms during flu season. I knew that what I witnessed was nothing compared to what they are seeing now.

Two things I experienced during the wee hours of the morning. First, I knew there was no way I would go to sleep on my own. The thoughts were too heavy. The issues too immense. I reminded myself of my passage for this week and I began to visualize, “Christ in me.” I asked the question, “what difference does it make right now that Christ lives in me?” And I leaned into His presence.

Secondly, I pondered what I could do to help the situation. I don’t have medical training so I can’t go to work there. But I can do something. For starters, I can pray for this woman and all the others who tirelessly go to work every day knowing there isn’t enough time to do what needs to be done; wondering if mistakes are being made that cost someone a life needlessly; returning home exhausted.

And then I can do my part to think of others before myself. Asking myself before I go out and about, “Is this necessary? Is this expedient?”

I know there is so much disagreement about this, but today I want to make a plea for health care workers. What can you do to protect them? To lighten their load? Because the truth is, when I need them, I want them to be available and able to help. So, ponder this a moment today. Because it’s Black Friday for someone and that doesn’t mean they are shopping.

¹Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? ²Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. ³Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. ⁴Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. ⁵You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Philippians 2:1-5