This book is written with the aim of maintaining Christian vitality in the newly qualified doctor. It is well recognised that the early days after qualification are very busy and the young doctor often lacks sleep and gets exhausted. This may also be a time of separation from friends, family and normal sources of spiritual refreshment. The book is written mainly by doctors who have themselves been in this position.
The readings are set out one per day with some additional readings for Easter. There are number of themes which run through the book, ambition, beatitudes, the cost of discipleship, friendship, sex, morality, the good shepherd, guidance, hopeless patients, money and possessions, physical stress and spiritual resources. Once a month there is a section on spiritual discipline.
On 17 January the exhortation to pray continuously giving thanks in all circumstances is explored. The busy doctor is focused on the practicality prayer when working, travelling, eating and socialising. One sound bit of advice is that one's car can be a sanctuary and it is possible to snatch a few minutes to lift your heart to the Lord while travelling, as long as your eyes are kept on the road.
On 20 January the writer explores the frustration of the 'day off that never was'. Plans for an evening out, spoilt by a medical crisis, a situation so well known to all of us and we are reminded how often Jesus was pressurised by the crowds and how he dealt with this.
On 23 March we are reminded that whatever our task, we should work heartily serving the Lord and not man. There is a reminder that secular work is an avenue to serve the Lord, and not just our fellow humans. Many young doctors know what it is to feel exhausted beyond their endurance and this is addressed in 30 June's reading. Perhaps one of the biggest challenges the newly qualified doctor faces is dealing with a patient's death and their relatives. So in 28 August's reading we are reminded of the good news which we have to share that 'Our Redeemer liveth'.
This book, although aimed at the newly qualified doctor, may also be helpful to others including those reaching retirement. In the 23 December's reading we are reminded that the Lord will teach us to number our days 'so that in all stages of our life we should apply our heart to wisdom'.
In this brief review, I suspect I have only managed to whet your appetite about this remarkable little book. The preface states wisely that these readings are not designed to replace more comprehensive Bible study, but to give one thought from the Word of God, relevant to the reader's situation, and short enough to be maintained in the mind all day. It succeeds in this and l warmly recommend it to doctors working under pressure.
Reviewed by:
Margaret Hodson MSc MD MB FRCP DA
Professor of Respiratory Medicine and Head of the Department of Cystic Fibrosis at the National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College School of Medicine, London, and Honorary Consultant Physician to the Royal Brompton Hospital.
