I have been thinking for a while about the true role of a practitioner who is also a pastor. Often I find myself in the treatment room listening to the heart pain of one of my clients, and I realize that really what they need is a touch from God’s Presence. At these times, I cross easily between realms from the doctor to the minister. Really these distinctions are quite arbitrary and just a product of our fragmented western society. In ancient societies, like that which birthed acupuncture and Chinese medicine, as well as the Biblical setting, the medical and spiritual were all connected and part of the healing process.
The Chinese have a saying that has helped guide me:
The physician who teaches people to sustain their health is the superior physician. The physician who waits to treat people until after their health is lost is considered to be inferior. This is like waiting until one’s family is starving to begin to plant seeds in the garden. ~Author unknown, similar to statement in The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine |
Teaching is really what the treatment room is all about. It is probably one of the most important classrooms we will ever attend. Without our health what do we truly have? Once we realize it is the health of our spirit that affects all of our health, then we will begin to deal with roots of our dis-ease.
To that effect, Jesus used stories, what the bible calls parables to illustrate spiritual realities. I have decided to do the same. I will be authoring a series of stories to teach the principles of the five elements of acupuncture and how God designed us to be both strong and weak. His grace, the power to live life is perfected in this very place!
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.(2Co 12:9)
Stay tuned!