Time-out is a term most parents are super familiar with. It is defined as a method of discipline that involves removing a child from social interaction and placing him or her in a non-stimulating environment, essentially to have them reflect upon their behavior.
However, in this blog post I want to reflect on a surgical time-out and some matters that stood out to me recently.
Some of you might know that I started working as a procedural nurse in a new department last year. Per protocol, the medical team does a "time-out" before the procedure/ surgery. This is a process in which the entire team does an immediate pause and actively participates to confirm that the correct procedure is being performed on the correct patient and the correct site. Any safety concerns pertaining to the procedure are verbalized to alert everyone involved. This is essential in order to avoid safety issues.
A few weeks back something subtle happened after we did a time-out on a patient we were going to do a procedure on. After we were done, the patient smiled and said, "It's my turn now. I need a few seconds to do a time-out as well!" We stood there suprised, not knowing what to expect. The patient held her hands up and prayed," Dear Lord, I give this entire medical team into your mighty hands. Give them wisdom, understanding and patience to do all that they need to do, correctly, in order to care for me the best way they can. I bless each of them in Jesus' name."
And we all said Amen!
It was a beautiful moment for me. I was having a very hectic day at work, but this simple prayer of complete trust and dependency in the Master shifted my perspective. Even, while driving back home, tired as I was, I couldn't stop smiling, thinking about the beauty of this simple prayer. My patient reminded me that day to do a time-out!
So often, we are caught in the busyness and mundane of life. We move from one thing to the next without realizing that days and months are just passing by. With each passing day, we grow older, and our time on this earth grows shorter.
C.T Studd, who was a British missionary and spent his life in dedicated service to the Lord, serving in China, India and Africa, put it in this poem beautifully---
Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill.
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
__ extra stanza __
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.
In the mundane of our life, as we go about all the things that are competing for our time and attention, may we do a time-out and reflect that all of our efforts to attain worldly things will end in our grave. What lasts will solely be what we invest into the kingdom of God. Only those things we do to expand God's kingdom will be carried beyond our grave. For a child of God that lives with an eternity perspective, it should be easy to let go of earthly things and focus on things that impact eternity.
When we time-out (pause), we should take some time to:
1. Look back and REFLECT on the ways God has led us. I personally take time to do this seriously at least once a week. It keeps me grounded and humble and strengthens my faith in the Lord. It reminds me yet again that if God has led us thus far faithfully, He can be trusted to be our Jehovah Jireh going forward!
2. Surrender oneself in the hands of God and say, Lord, help me to remain aligned to your will. Have your way in my life. Remember always--- "The will of God will never lead us where the grace of God does not sustain us."
So, RE-ALIGN yoursef yourself to the will of God. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NIV
3. RE-PRIORITIZE things in life to see where we stand based on the standards of God's Holy Word. Are we mere talkers or do our actions match up with our words? Let His Word remain our guiding principle.
I pray each of us live our life in this world in sync with God's will for our life! Our time on earth is limited.Let us make the most of it for the glory of His name.
