Transforming Every Heart Ou r
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y
W
a s
f o ll o w e r s
o f
Ch r i s t
by David L. Crane
ithin Adventist Midwest Health hospitals, there is a special effort to create a memorable patient experience. We want our patients to feel God’s compassion and truth through our hands, giving them hope and healing.
Bruce Powell
We call this effort “Transto say, “Well done!” and exforming Care ~ Transforming plain the role the Holy Spirit Lives.” When Jesus healed, played within each of us. He focused on transforming I believe Jesus will introduce a person’s life. That’s what me to some strangers, people I we try to do for our patients. barely remember. I may not But the transformation we even realize that a chance aim for does not end with encounter ended up being a our patients. We are comtransformational experience. mitted to transformational It could be an employee who work in the hearts of our reminds me how I encouraged employees as well. her to pray about an issue, and Nurse Anne Sagastume stops by the hospital chapel to say a prayer before her This important assign- shift at Adventist Hinsdsale Hospital. now she explains how God's ment is not one I take lightly. More than 5,000 employees Word helped redirect her life. Or He may ask me about anwork at our hospitals and outpatient centers, spending the other employee, someone who I walked by on the way to my bulk of their waking hours serving our patients, families and office every single day. This employee worked for the hospital guests. I believe part of our responsibility as good leaders is for 18 years but never came to know Jesus. The Holy Spirit to provide spiritual growth to those desiring it. Our work is saved him on his deathbed, but there were 18 years of missed a personal mission, and I know God looks to each of us to opportunities. Our leaders are committed to doing everything we can to minimize these squandered opportunities. provide our teams with this leadership. We have small encounters every day with people connectI believe each of us will have a personal conversation with our Lowrd — standing on the Sea of Glass, outpouring our ed to us. If we reinforce Christ’s love, and do not miss those gratitude. Jesus will welcome us, and we will be offered eter- opportunities to connect spiritually, think of the magnitude nal life. He may even say, Well done, good and faithful servant; you of people we could touch. I think about the door-opening were faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler of many things. Enter conversations we can have with our patients that begin with, “How are things between you and God?” into the joy of your Lord (see Matthew 25). When I’m standing before Jesus, I want to know that evDuring this conversation, I believe Jesus will ask me, ery opportunity I’ve had in my lifetime was maximized as an “Where is your family? Where are your wife and kids?” I hope to answer, “Heidi, Andrew and Zach are here with me.” encounter with God. Personally, every decision I make in life, And then He will ask, “But where are your friends? Your I make with this conversation in mind. I know, in some small way, I am His ambassador, and I’m accountable for these inneighbors? Your employees?” I want nothing more than to answer, “Lord, they are right teractions. Through the amazing grace of God, I have faith He will bless our efforts to expand His eternal kingdom of here!” while turning to introduce them to our King. In that conversation, Jesus may remind me of my role, compassion, grace and truth. as Paul stated in II Corinthians 5:20, We are called to be David L. Crane is the president and CEO of Adventist Midwest Health. ambassadors, as if God was making His appeal through us. I want Jesus
14
|
Ju l y 2 0 1 3 • L a k e U n i o n H e r a l d
T h e L a k e Un i o n He ra l d i s a v a i l a b l e o n l i n e .