What's So Good About Good Friday?

One of my most vivid childhood memories involves Good Friday. In the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, Good Friday was always a quiet, reflective day. Everything stopped. Stores were predictably closed--from gas stations to grocery stores. Even the malls closed their doors! Everyone stayed home out of reverence for Christ.

Why is such reverence due a man who lived two thousand years ago? And what is so good about Good Friday?

The Gospel according to John ends with these words, "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written" (John 21:25). This is how I feel as I ponder these questions. What I've learned about Christ over the years leaves me thirsty for more and, yet, fully satisfied. It is a precious paradox!

I have a few thoughts today about the One who's changed my life and heart and continues to transform my mind.

Born of a virgin in a lowly place, though a King. (He melts our pride with humility.)
Born into darkness yet called the Light of the world. (He can see right through the thick darkness of sin.)
Despised and rejected yet full of mercy, forgiveness, and grace. (He knows every human emotion and meets every need.)
His goodness and love were repaid on a lonely Cross--willingly chosen. (He knows all about sacrifice.)
Killed like a criminal yet called the Prince of Peace. (His sword is Truth and pierces every lie.)
Even from the Cross, He spoke forgiveness unto His accusers. (He is the definition of Grace.)
Also from the Cross, feeling forsaken, He trusted His Father and gave up His spirit. (His courage and faith can become ours.)
Risen on the third day, He lives on ... and spurs us on to higher living. (His plans for us are great.)
Not leaving us as orphans, He promises the Holy Spirit will fill us (if, having repented, we ask) and guide us into all truth. (His wisdom can become ours.)
Through the Spirit, He lives in us. (He supplies the power needed to live for Him.)
Because He lives, we can have eternal life. (We get to be with the author of life, love, and every good thing forever!)

The prophet Isaiah spoke about Jesus' sacrifice hundreds of years before Jesus walked the earth. About this awaited Messiah, the Christ, he said,

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, 

nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him.

He was despised and rejected by mankind,

a man of suffering, and familiar with pain....

Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering....

But He was pierced for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on Him,
and by His wounds we are healed.
(Isaiah 53:2-5)

By His wounds, we are healed. This is exceedingly good news! It means there is hope for us. There is hope for sinful man. For you and me. 

If Jesus died for the forgiveness of our sins, the price has been paid in full. His death and resurrection have set us free. We've been given a second chance. This isn't just a good Friday. This day should be called Breathtaking Friday. Astonishing Friday. Life-changing, mountain-moving, evil-defeating, satan-squashing, death-conquering Friday!

Jesus has the last word. His death and resurrection opened the door to Life. Eternal life! 

As we get ready to celebrate Easter, let us thank the Lord for His sacrifice on the Cross. Let us recommit to give our all to the One who gave everything for us. And let us receive His love and grace with open hands and hearts, that we may love others as He loves us--with mercy, with forgiveness, with grace.

He lives!

Dr Mari

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 7:1)

And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way. (Ephesians 1:22-23)

For more on the joy of Easter, read He is Risen! So What Does that Mean to You and Me?

Radio Interview with Dr. Mari - Feb 25, 7pm EST

* UPDATE: Follow the link below (or this one) to listen to my radio interview. The live interview is now recorded there. *

Here's the link to my radio interview on Monday, February 25 at 7 pm Eastern time. Follow the link below and call in to listen to the interview, which will be co-hosted by Hope Matters and Rob Cares. 

I will share about my journey as a physician and writer, as well as the transformation that's taken place as I've learned to care for people from the heart. I will also share about my book, Walking with Jesus in Healthcare, a 120-day devotional to refresh your soul as you care for others. 

Encouraging and Empowering the Caregiver with Dr Mari

www.blogtalkradio.com

Join us on Monday, February 25th at 7PM EST!

Purpose: An Antidote to Burnout

This week, I had another one of those conversations where I can no longer remain silent. A friend began to criticize a doctor, selling me the popular line that all his doctor cares about is money. I never used to feel a need to speak up for my colleagues, but I do now. With all the challenges and obstacles we face in healthcare, somebody needs to speak up for us — so why not me!

I just read a terrific article addressing the epidemic (my term) of physician burnout and our need of resiliency training. As I read, I wondered, How many professions out there talk about needing to train in resiliency? Next time you see a doctor, try not to think about this: "One-third to one-half of physicians meet burnout criteria, leading to very real suffering among physicians and their families." That is a huge number of caregivers helping others while running on empty, discouraged and unfulfilled. To me, this is not only an epidemic — it reflects a crisis in our profession that's affecting society as a whole.

Our task as physicians is extremely difficult; sometimes it seems impossible. We must be caring, compassionate, efficient, thorough, patient, engaging, knowledgeable, up-to-date, skillful, and able to diagnose, encourage, empower, inspire, treat, keep good records, and more ... all in half the time the typical sitcom lasts. It's tiring just thinking about what we're expected to do each day, especially when you consider other factors that affect what we do, such as patient denial, fear, anger, distrust, substance abuse, and personality disorders. In some ways, it's surprising that the rate of burnout isn't even higher!

The authors speak of a resiliency triad that helps strengthen those in the caring fields. This triad involves developing greater insight and a commitment to one's values and to a healthy lifestyle (sleep, nutrition, activity level, among others). I agree that these are all essential and sometimes lacking among my peers but, very often, it's because of the challenges built into our personalities, our profession, and the culture in which we practice. In the culture of medicine, rest is equated with laziness and a commitment to balance is often looked down upon by the overachieving, perfectionist personality that prevails.

The gifts we bring to our profession often become our greatest liability.

Yet, I agree that there is much we can do to help ourselves and care for people with compassion. Although at times what we must do seems impossible, we really can do it, but we must also have the courage to change ourselves and our environment when needed.

The privilege to care for others must be balanced with our need to care for ourselves and our families. I have also found that, as I align my practice of medicine with my values and who I am, I have much more joy, I am much more effective, and those I care for leave encouraged, inspired, and even empowered to live according to their own. This return to congruence has had more impact on my satisfaction and joy as a doctor than anything else I've done. It's helped me grow as an individual, and it's made me more compassionate.

Aligning what we do and how we help others with our values means we have the courage to be ourselves: broken, human, and vulnerable. This inner change impacts not only ourselves but our staff and our patients. This commitment to stop pretending we're perfect, this paradigm shift to be fully ourselves while caring for others begins to transform the culture in which we practice.

I believe questions like, Who am I? and Why am I here? have the power to transform our day-to-day lives. In every profession, we must find that spark that helps us do what we must do with joy. Finding our purpose and living it out — becoming who we were created to be — is a source of contentment that also increases our effectiveness. It's a win-win!

So what can we start doing to achieve that today? And tomorrow. And the next day....

I invite you to have the courage to be yourself. 

Joyfully,
Dr Mari

Learn more about my journey to greater wholeness in my book, Walking with Jesus in Healthcare.

Quote from Physician Resilience and Burnout: Can You Make the Switch? Family Practice Management, Jan-Feb 2013.

An Excerpt from Walking with Jesus in Healthcare

This morning, I shared my testimony, the story of my journey meeting and embracing Jesus, with some high school students. While sharing how praying with patients has transformed the way I care for people as a doctor, I read this devotion from my book, Walking with Jesus in Healthcare. The book is a 120-day devotional written to encourage and empower all who care for the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of others. It is based on the Gospel according to Luke, the physician. Here's an excerpt from day 90.

The Glories of God’s Kingdom

Read Luke 17:20-37  

The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you. (v. 20-21)

Every time we open the door to greet another human being in need, we bear a tremendously powerful gift. Jesus said plainly that God’s kingdom is within us. Within us! We must have the courage, willingness, and love to share Him with others, for Jesus Himself sent us out to spread His message of hope, healing, and life (Matthew 28:18-20).

During my second mission trip to Guatemala, I experienced God’s kingdom at work in medicine. As a young mother shared the challenges she’d endured that week, I felt helpless. What were we doing there anyway? Treating chronic conditions for one week would be like adding a drop of water into a sea of needs.

While such thoughts conspired to discourage and paralyze me, the Holy Spirit within urged me to pray with her. So I did.

As I began to pray for her, she began to pray for me in our native Spanish, and the gates of heaven opened. Suddenly, we were before God’s throne interceding for one another, two sisters seeking God’s face together.

God’s kingdom broke through my apprehension and her pain, touching each of us deeply. Our heartfelt prayer transcended her overwhelming needs and my inadequacy to meet them. As our prayer ended, we knew we were in God’s presence, having tasted His living waters.

The kingdom of God does not come with our “careful observation” but with our prayerful surrender. I have learned how to overcome that helpless feeling that sometimes still visits me; when I bring it to God, He is more than sufficient.

God's kingdom is an endless river of mercy, healing, and grace. As I call on Him, He is faithful to reveal the glories of His kingdom.

May we surrender our lives more fully each day and continue to call on Him!
Dr Mari

To find out more about Walking with Jesus in Healthcare, please visit my website. And consider sharing this excerpt with your friends in healthcare! They probably need some encouragement today.

 LOOK INSIDE Walking with Jesus in Healthcare Vol I

New Year Inspiration from Dr. Mari

"The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. 

It is that we should have a new soul." 

(G. K. Chesterton)

In 2013, I plan to continue to feed my soul with the riches of God's Word. I started the year by reading Paul's letter to the Galatians. I pray that these verses from his challenging and inspiring letter will feed your soul as they've fed mine.

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,  

for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 

(Galatians 3:26-27)

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. 

Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. 

(Galatians 5:1)

But by faith we eagerly await 

through the Spirit 

the righteousness for which we hope. 

(Galatians 5:5)

You, my brothers, were called to be free. 

But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; 

rather, serve one another in love. 

(Galatians 5:13)

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.  

For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, 

and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.  

(Galatians 5:16-17)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, 

patience, kindness, goodness, 

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

Against such things there is no law. 

(Galatians 5:22-23)

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  

Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. 

(Galatians 5:25-26)

Paul reminds us that the freedom Christ died to bring us comes with a purpose. 

We've been set free to love.

In Galatians 5:6, Paul adds,
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

May this become our compass and our goal in the New Year and always.

Happy 2013!

 Dr. Mari

A Christmas Message: The Grace of God is Here!

"For the grace of God has appeared, 

bringing salvation to all, 

training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, 

and in the present age to live lives that are 

self-controlled, upright, and godly, 

while we wait for the blessed hope 

and the manifestation of the glory 

of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

He it is who gave himself for us 

that he might redeem us from all iniquity 

and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds."

Titus 2:11-14 (NRSV)

Christ is born!
The Grace of God has appeared.

Our Savior is here, now,
and offers salvation to all!

Such a priceless gift must be opened and shared;
such grace deserves a response.

So let us worship Him with our lives

and honor His holy name.

Have a blessed and meaningful Christmas!

Dr Mari

Advent Reflections: What's at the Center?

This December, while we continue to prepare our hearts to celebrate Christmas, my family is also packing and unpacking boxes. Although we're not moving far, we will be in a new home very soon. This means new neighbors. A new commute. New surroundings. Once again, our Advent season of preparation is filled with change.

I'm thankful that, in the midst of change, old traditions can ground us, bringing comfort and peace. Last week we put up our Christmas tree and readied our house for this joyful season. As our kids placed the last few ornaments on the tree, I moved a few more boxes into the garage to make room for Christmas spirit. Our living room is now filled with lights, angels, Advent calendars, a well-adorned tree, and Christmas cheer. And in front of the tree sits a simple manger scene where Mary and Joseph behold the newborn King.

While packing a few more boxes last night, a beautiful thought captured my heart. As we continue to empty our house of stuff, visual reminders of the importance and relevance of Jesus have invaded our living room and our home. As we prepare our hearts to celebrate Christ's birth, the cards, decorations, and our Advent wreath are constant reminders of His presence among us. Our house has been emptied of stuff and filled with Christ!

This same process takes place in our hearts when we invite Christ to live there. We begin an intentional process to empty ourselves from everything that clutters our souls, hearts, and minds, and ask to be filled with the presence of Jesus through the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is also what the season of Advent is all about. It's a wonderful time to recommit ourselves to a life of faith, trust, and obedient surrender to the One who came to save us.

As our manger scene now fills the space left by the clutter of boxes and stuff, so the presence of Jesus will fill us when we empty ourselves of what clutters us inside ... if we ask. Jesus fills all things in every way, as explained in this excerpt from Paul's letter to the Ephesians. This is my prayer for you and for me this Advent,

"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, 
may give you 

the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, 
so that you may know Him better.  

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened 

in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, 

the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 

 and His incomparably great power for us who believe. 

That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ 

when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms,  

far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, 

not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  

And God placed all things under His feet 

and appointed Him to be head over everything 

for the church, which is His body, 

the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way."  

(Ephesians 1:17-23)

May Christ remain at the center of our hearts and lives. And may His holy name be praised.
Dr Mari

* My devotional, Walking with Jesus in Healthcare, was published in November 2012! Spread the word to your friends and loved ones who care for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of others. The book will inspire, encourage, and empower them! Visit my author website for details.