Dear Christian Nurse Colleagues
Blessings and joy to you as
we look forward to what
God has in store for all of us
in 2010! I am praying that
you will see God's hand in
the midst of joys and trials
and that you will renew your
commitment to "trust in
Him" as you live out your
faith at home and in your
profession.
As I look back over 2009, I am reminded of the way God led us forward. We have updated our website, established Leadership Development teams, and expanded to countries in Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe. We are also taking "great strides" as we begin collaboration with other international organizations with like mission, similar worldview and a heart for patients and healthcare workers. Now as we are in the first months of 2010, there is excitement ahead as Christian nurse leaders around the world are planning Regional Conferences to challenge, uplift and empower nurses in a globalized world. Check out the latest information on the conference in your part of the world.
As you reflect back over your own life, I encourage you to think honestly about your attitude and your focus. Has it been a year of joy and peace for you - or have you felt overwhelmed and saddened by the difficulty and trials in life? Being overwhelmed, consumed with details, and too busy can frequently rob us of our joy and leave us feeling insignificant, weak and powerless. But when we turn to God's Word, we allow His living words to feed our souls and calm our lives. James 1: 2-4 tells us that we should "Consider it pure joy, my brothers (and sisters), whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." The psalmist in Psalm 43: 3-5 writes "Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me. . . then will I go to the altar of God. . . my joy and my delight. . . Why are you downcast, O my soul? Put your hope in God. . . ." The fruit of the spirit found in Galatians 5:22 " love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" are not things we can create in our lives with our own power. Rather, they come by yielding to the power of the Holy Spirit living within us. God intends for the core of our life to be inner joy and peace, even in the midst of the daily trials and tragedies. We have a choice: we can focus on the overwhelming circumstances of life, or we can live our lives focused on Christ and His unending love for us. The choice is ours.
May the joy and peace of the Lord be yours throughout 2010.
Blessings
Barbara J White Ed.D. RN. CNS
President Nurses Christian Fellowship International
2008-2012