Editor’s note: As Loma Linda University Health begins a massive construction project to build the new adult and children’s hospital towers, the chaplains invite members of the campus to pray and fast each Tuesday, asking for God’s guidance and wisdom as we continue to grow. Below is a devotional from a series in News of the Week based on the biblical book of Nehemiah, in which Nehemiah faced a massive building project of his own.
***
“Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.” Nehemiah 5:19
There are times when it seems that no one notices the sacrifices we make or the manner in which we go above and beyond what is required of us in fulfilling our roles and responsibilities. Loma Linda University Health consists of about 15,000 employees who go about the business of living out the mission of the organization. We are in the business of providing health care for hundreds of people while preparing our 4,000 students for their own careers in health care. At times, it may appear as if no one understands the herculean tasks being placed before us to produce more with less when we already feel as if our heads are barely above water.
Once more we turn to Nehemiah, who faced similar challenges over the 12 years he served as project manager, governor, head of security, representative of the king and benefactor. He understood what it meant to do more with less, even facing derision from within and without the community. Yet I find comfort in the last verse of chapter 5 where Nehemiah presents his case before the Lord in prayer. He simply asks God to remember.
We too have the same access to God through prayer. When we find ourselves feeling overworked and overlooked, stressed out and burnt out, we can say, “Remember me, my God!”
Friends and colleagues, your distress and your hard work are not unnoticed. While the easing of the burdens and the reassignments may seem a long way off, please take courage in the knowledge that even when you can’t pray, God does see and remembers you.
“God’s strength behind you, His concern for you, His love within you, and His arms beneath you are more than sufficient for the job ahead of you.” –William Arthur Ward
“The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow, and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it.” –St. Francis de Sales
“See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.” Isaiah 49:16
Dilys Brooks, MDiv
Associate campus chaplain
Loma Linda University