In the medical field screaming ambulances, flashing lights, blaring horns will get any caring person’s adrenaline going. A young person is often energized by terms. ICU. Swat team. Navy Seals and the list goes on. Then there are more passive, caring positions. Therapy, Extended care, palliative care, fire marshal, counselling, traffic control and again the list goes on.
The physiotherapist and the trauma team have equally important places to fill. One is no more important than the other. What decides which patient goes where is determined by diagnosis. A young man, broken and near death as a result of a severe accident, will not be delivered by ambulance to the physiotherapy unit. Despite the fact that the young man recovers due to the heroic efforts and snap decisions of the paramedics who assisted him, he may well need months, and sometimes years, of physiotherapy. It is therefore evident that our numerous gifts as well as specialty in training deserve equal respect. This brings me to the thought of respect to each one’s “several gifts”.
When a Christian “service provider” practises thoughts and actions, with humility, at the core of his or her undertaking, it follows that spirituality, Christian life, and the very act of Christian servitude will function in a Bible-endorsed, nonconfrontational way. Many very gifted leaders have been disqualified for from effective service as a result of proud thoughts and actions.
Quite likely we quickly direct criticism at the extroverted, outspoken individual; the one at the front of the pack. Understandably so. If the traffic control officer at the scene of a serious accident would load his traffic cones and signage, throw his safety vest into his truck, and leave the scene of the accident because he wasn’t a part of the trauma team, the results could well be disastrous. When we are serving God, we will lose blessings if we “leave the scene”. Whether pride is boisterous, or introverted and silent, it still robs the blessing. While servitude often is a blessing to others, ultimately, we serve so we can enjoy the reward. When Paul and Silas sang songs in jail, I don’t think they were “poor, poor pitiful me” songs. I doubt that they were focused inward.
For those of us who make up the more outspoken portion of the crowd, may we practise thinking before we speak.
To quote “The Christian Home” by Reuben Koehn (p. 92) “In the choleric the emotions aren’t as highly developed as in temperaments of feeling…He many times does not realize that it isn’t the worth of his plans that makes him win, but rather his persistence and aggressiveness.”
Regarding the phlegmatic, in “The Christian Home” (p. 94) “In his calmness and coolness and rational decisions the phlegmatic is subject to self-righteousness…He is conservative for the reason that it requires less effort.”
In “The Christian Home” (p. 90) “The melancholic relates everything to himself and is inclined to judge everything. Since he has a high ideal, and it falls short he is naturally disappointed. Because of this he takes little interest in the present. He wishes to escape facts by having ideal dreams.” This disqualifies his albeit sometimes sarcastic contribution. Or his silence and a moody introversion can take the place of what might be a productive contribution.
The sanguine, in an effort to lighten the mood, actually can add tension to a circumstance. Well-meaning attempts at avoiding conflict or trauma are at times less desirable than sober empathy. The sanguine’s very core can be either very comforting with a deep sincere understanding and a strong contribution to a sombre situation; or it can be like a babbling brook that contributes little to the raging fire!
The Bible teaches us to covet earnestly the best gifts. I believe this refers to taking an active interest in developing our natural inborn temperament. The result of this growth makes us more serviceable vessels in the world we live in.
