A lesson for me...

I'm in my 4th year of medical school (and actually I'm in my last 9 weeks woohoo!!!). I know some of you may think "omg she has to be ridiculously busy" but that's not really the case. Yes I am busy but it's not that my schedule is so crazy off the charts. Infact the problem is I am so done with working hard and pushing myself that I have officially diagnosed myself with senioritis. Look it up, it's a real disease (not really). 

The one thing I have tried to do these last few months is catch up on my reading list. Most of these books and articles have been on my "to read" list for the last 4 yrs no lie. One book that recently joined this list is called 'Jesus MD' by David Stevens MD. In 'Jesus MD' Dr Stevens draws a parallel between the life of Jesus and our lives, not just doctors. In chapter one (that's as far as I've gotten) he makes an excellent observation, one which has convicted me to move beyond senioritis to effective Christian living and preparation for the next phase in life. He says, "Mark 1 and Luke 4, for example, tell of the time when Jesus ministered all day in the synagogue...and he was up half the night healing patients until he was exhausted. What did Jesus do next? He got up early in the morning and went out to talk to his Father. It was that important. He missed sleep. He missed rest. He sacrificed something he truly needed... In other words, if our time with God isn't costing us something, perhaps we are not doing it frequently enough or long enough. Maybe it's not important enough in our lives." 

See along with senioritis you experience symptoms of a general lack of desire to do anything that could contribute positively to your life. That has been my major symptom anyway but I'm not sure if that's pathognomonic for the disease (i.e. associated with or characteristic for the disease). I have been struggling with regularly spending time with Jesus. And at this point in my life it really is just a lack of discipline issue. After reading those words from Dr Stevens I realize that if I am unable to be faithful even now when things are relatively easy going, how will I be faithful during my intern year when all hell breaks loose and I am barely sleeping, showering or eating?  

Needless to say I am convicted. Now to begin like the apostle Paul tells us, by God's grace, and reliance on the Holy spirit, to beat my body into submission. I just felt I should share this just in case anyone else is feeling the same way in whatever walk you are called to. Feel free to keep me accountable.