Our Unchanging Primary Calling

How respectable is a doctor who neglects his sick family to care for other patients?

A highly respected pulmonologist just started early morning rounds at the hospital. As he emerged from his first patient’s room, a nurse approached him with an urgent message. “Your wife and two daughters were just admitted downstairs with severe pneumonia!”

With indifference and slight annoyance on his face, the doctor thanked her for the message and proceeded to his next patient’s room. Confused by his reaction, the nurse returned to her station, assuming he would attend to his family shortly.

Later that afternoon, the nurse spotted the physician walking down the hallway. Concerned about his wife and kids, she approached him and asked how they were doing. To her surprise and dismay, he shrugged his shoulders and said, “I have no idea. I’ve had patients all day who needed me.”

As appalling as this fictitious story is, it illustrates a dangerous attitude we must avoid in our Christian lives.

When Jesus leads us into ministry or to fulfill a calling, He never replaces, diminishes, or undermines His primary calling for us: our spouse, then children. If we do not prioritize them above everyone else, we violate God’s biblical order.

Are you putting your ministry, calling, or job above your family? If so, I would love to pray for you. Leave me a comment.