I’m excited this week. We get to close on a house after weeks of hunting, decision-making and negotiations. After being limited to only telemedicine for the last several months, I now get to start my new job with AdventHealth and have in-person patient contact (albeit my first day of orientation was all virtual). Today though, I’m writing about letting go of dreams. At least for the moment.
When I moved back home to Avon Park I was looking forward to a unique project: a church clinic 1/2 part patient care and 1/2 part community work. I would be working with a Pastor and church members to help patients enact new lifestyle habits while incorporating a faith-based approach. I had the support of the church and the pastor.
The project made its way through the local church conference and even the North American Division of Seventh-Day Adventists. In short, it was shut down. The leaders of the church balked at the risk of medical liability and questioned the value of a church clinic.
If leaders in our church can’t see the value of combining physical and spiritual care, we’re in bad shape as a church.
David Let’s Go of His Dream
We’ve been working on the project for a year now and kept hitting dead ends. I turned to Scripture for encouragement and read the story of David. Apparently he had a dream, too. David wanted to build a Temple for the Lord and God told him no. He had too much blood on his hands.
David wrote half of the psalms we read in the Bible. Psalms such as the following:
“One thing I ask of the Lord this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” Psalm 27:4
David wanted nothing more than to serve God and be in his presence. His dream to build a temple for God reflected a deep love for Him. And yet God told him no.
David had to let go of his dream. And I must let go of mine. At least for now. Here’s how David tells the story:
“I had it in my heart to build a house as a place of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, for the foot-stool of our God, and I made plans to build it. But God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.’ Yet the Lord, the God of Israel, chose me from my whole family to be king over Israel forever…” 1 Chronicles 28:2-4
Even in the midst of letting go of his dream, David saw the goodness of God. In a time, when even some of my own doctor classmates are having a hard time finding a job, I get to join a growing and mission-driven organization. AdventHealth is a health organization that seeks to “extend the healing ministry of Christ.” They are affiliated with a local medical school. Next year they are establishing both a family and internal medicine residency. They are serious about building a multi-million dollar wellness center with the aim of enhancing the health of the community. God has limitless possibilities for me. I’m looking forward to it.
15 Comments
All the best in the new job. Looking forward to hear how you get on.
Jeremiah 29:11.
Congratulations! May God continue to bless you and your family.
Congratulations and Yahweh will guide you all the way Andrew. Don’t give up on your dreams, it will come through when the right time comes with Yahweh’s blessing. Take care and love you. Big hugs to all .
Yahweh is good. Thank you, Auntie.
God bless you Andrew and the family as you face new challenges in your new job. When the right time comes, God will open the right doors, but in own good time. Don’t give up your dreams, God will lead you through I am sure, just wait and see, have faith.
Thank you, Auntie. I’ll never give up on God.
Your bright bro thanks. Willing cheerful perfect obedience.
That’s the way man.
Andrew, I was so happy to read your blog! It looks like the Lord has opened up a big door for you and family. I will be texting Melanie very soon.
Thank you, Jan. We’re looking forward to it.
Andrews, we will be praying for you and your new service at Adventist Health.
Sorry for my spelling of your name! I have typed Andrews University so much that I automatically added an “s”.
I am happy to hear you will have a new home and a new service at Adventist Health. Thanks for sharing the opportunities you will have at Andventist Health. We are hoping to use the new Health and Wellness Center more as the COVID is controlled. The Center just recently reopened. Our thoughts and prayers are for you and your family.
All my life I wanted to be a doctor. Despite odds, I still clung to this dream, even though my life has re-routed me in various directions… further and further away from the medical path. I recently applied to a graduate program in something else. Since, I do not have the finances, support, or time to take all prereqs for medical school. I’ve been sad about this. I needed to hear the example of David. I guess it wasn’t for me, but maybe a tool to just help me endure some educational hurdles. Still, I cannot shake the desire. However, I pray God helps me to see the good in this shattered dream- like He did with David. Great blog post! ANd I’m glad the Lord worked this out for you!
I as a man of faith, have no doubt in my mind that you will succeed in your endeavors. Your devotion is and has always been inspiring, and life changing to my family, and others we had sent your way when you were here. You were made for this…we all love and miss you, but we know that no matter where you are, you will do amazing things! Many blessings to you and your beautiful family!