Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning.(Luke 12:35)
The lamp of nursing is a prominent symbol forour profession. It connects us to our past with FlorenceNightingale as “The Lady with the Lamp.” For Christians,the oil lamp has further spiritual or theologicalsignificance. In the Old Testament, oil was used to consecrateor set-apart people for the Lord’s service (Exodus30:25, 29). In the New Testament, oil was used for healingand for ritual offerings (Luke 10:34; John 12:3).With these examples in my heart and burning brightin my spirit, I compare myself to an apothecary, mixing aunique, essential oil, by using the topics contained in thisreflection book.
I imagine going to my nursing cabinet and findinga bottle of fine essential oil, full of the grace, truth, andlove of our Saviour. I stir into the oil drops of prayer,kindness, and joy that build wisdom and humility. Sweetenedby the aroma of heaven, a bit of compassion, and adram each of hope and peace, a rich emollient develops.This results in a thickening agent of perseverance, includingfaith and courage, blended for both strength and zeal.Clarification removes hate and fear, while solidifying thecombined essence of connectedness and leadership. Thefinal refinement is purification through an infusion of theHoly Spirit. The oil is prepared, ready for use.
As nurses, the Lord anoints us for our consecratedwork, distinguishing our calling as holy (2 Timothy1:9; Ephesians 4:4). Now we are ready for the oil to bepoured into our individual nursing lamps. Whether wereceive a drop, a teaspoon, or a cup, miraculously Jesusaccentuates the specific ingredient relevant to each nurses’work. Our exclusive oil will not only light our way,but we can use the healing oil on those entrusted to ourcare. Look for a time to pour out the oil as an offeringbefore our Saviour—for he is truly the creator and giverof the oil. Finally, remember to keep your lamp full andfresh, ready for use (Matthew 25:4).
Read: Exodus 30:22-30; Matthew 25:1-13Choose a particular element (hope, peace, etc.) youwould like to add to your nursing oil.
Prayer: Father, consecrate my nursing work with a freshanointing. Fill my lamp so that I may care for those youhave assigned to my care. Amen.
你們要為服事而穿戴整齊，並要讓燈亮著。（路加福音十二章35 節）
護理的燈是我們專業顯著的標誌。它將我們連結到我們專業的鼻祖—佛羅倫斯南丁格爾，一起被稱為“提燈女郎＂。對於基督徒來說，油燈更具有進一步屬靈神學的意義。在舊約中，油被用來供奉或分別為聖那些為主服務的人（出埃及記三十章25,29節）。在新約中，油被用來醫治和獻祭（路加福音十章34節；約翰福音十二章3節）。
當我心中想到這些，我的靈火燃燒起來，我把自己比喻成一個藥師，透過這本書中主題的反思，混合出一款獨特的精油。
我想像在我的護理櫃子中找到一瓶上好的精油，充滿了恩典、真理和救主的愛。我將製造智慧和謙卑的祈禱、善良和喜悅攪拌到油中。
來自天堂香氣的甜美，一點同情心，一種充滿希望與和平的喧囂，一種豐富潤膚劑的發展。這些導出毅力的增稠劑，包括信念和勇氣，混合了堅強和熱情。澄清並且消除了仇恨和恐懼，同時鞏固連結和領導的精髓。最終通過聖靈的浸潤和提煉。這油就準備好了，並且可以使用了。
身為護理師，主為了我們奉獻的工作膏抹我們，呼召我們成為聖潔（提摩太後書一章9節；以弗所書四章4節）。現在我們已經準備好讓油倒入我們每個人護理的燈中。無論我們接收到一滴、一茶匙或一杯，耶穌奇蹟般地在每位護理師各自工作相關的成分中突顯出來。我們的油不僅可以照亮我們的路，而且還能療癒那些被託付給我們照護的人。找個時間將我們的奉獻倒出來給主—因為祂是這油的真正創造和賞賜者。最後，要記得讓你的燈裝滿新鮮的油，隨時準備使用（馬太福音二十五章4節）。
讀經：出埃及記三十章22-30節；馬太福音二十五章1-13節
選一個你想要加到你護理油中的特定元素（例如：希望，和平等…）。
禱告：天父，請用新鮮的恩膏聖化我的護理工作。讓我的燈加滿油，使我可以照顧那些你分配給我照顧的人。阿們。
【編按】作者Carrie M. Dameron是一位美國加州Ohlone學院的退休護理副教授，她有24年內外科護理、安寧療護和靈性關懷的課室與臨床經驗。出版過三本書，並且一直為國際護理團契寫作專欄。CARES的全文是（Caring Across Regions with EncouragingScripture），「CARES：護理人員的反思」原為英文與西班牙文雙語的書，內含52篇探索基督教護理主題，且有助於信仰發展的聖經研讀心得。2018年6月PACEA在台灣舉辦時，聖靈感動她授權護福編輯委員會，將這本書翻譯成中文，供華人基督徒護理人員同步分享。本書在正式出版前，將陸續在每期護福雜誌刊登部分內容，讓讀者能共同反思，如何以個人及專業的方式將基督信仰實踐在生活與工作之中。
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