Letter from the President

Staying in the Game

Sometimes I feel like Moses—content to play it safe and take care of a few sheep after experiencing significant ups and downs of life, yet the burning bush keeps calling me.

It’s a call to be an instrument of God and get out of my comfort zone. I can come up with some valid excuses, though. Surely, there are more qualified, articulate and younger people who can do the task needed. In my latter 60s, can’t I just rest and relax a little more? I have worked hard most of my life. No, there is no concept of retirement from God’s work in Scripture! Moses, Joshua and Caleb began at 80! Psalm 90:10-12 reminds us we don’t know how many years we have left, but we are to be wise with the years we have.

I admired a pastor friend of mine, who was also a patient, because he was still active in teaching and discipling, as well as writing several books, into his late 70s. John was always reaching out to people and sharing the gospel with unbelievers, especially Muslims. Though diagnosed with leukemia and chronic anemia, he remained spiritually and physically disciplined, letting me know his utmost concern was to finish well. As Paul stated in 2 Timothy 4:7 to a younger Timothy, “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” He was motivated to continue doing what he could and run the race set before him, keeping his eyes on Jesus, lest he be disqualified from the victor’s crown or laurel. The term, after we have worked hard and completed well, is to sit back and rest on our laurels—not for Paul or for my friend John.

What is it to finish well? My friend John expressed the desire to hear from his Lord Jesus, “…‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share in our master’s happiness’” (Matthew 25:21). I noticed the Master did not say to him, “Well done, now you can retire and rest from your hard work.” Instead, by giving him more responsibility, he was invited to share in his Master’s happiness. In fact, the two serv- ants of the Master who dealt wisely with the Master’s resources by doubling them were commended. The one who did nothing with what he was given was condemned. Luke 12:48 states, “… to whom much was given, of him much will be required….” (ESV).

We in the health professions have been given much in the way of resources and access to the hurt and lost. We are privileged with the Master’s resources to advance His kingdom as good stewards should do. What does that mean on an individual basis? I think it can be different for everyone. To the servants of the Master in Matthew 25, He gave them resources according to their ability. Not all of us are going to be as impactful as Billy Graham or Mother Teresa, but all of us have a part to play as faithful and wise servants in the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

It starts with having our lamps full of oil of the Holy Spirit. In the parable preceding the three servants with talents in Matthew 25, 10 virgins were awaiting the coming of the bridegroom. The five foolish ones had no oil, but the five wise ones filled their lamps with oil, representing the working power of the Holy Spir- it. To be filled with oil is to desire to know and be with Jesus our Bridegroom. The last parable of Matthew 25 is when the Son of Man will judge all people as a shepherd who separates the sheep from the goats. With what time we have left on earth, we are to be generously giving and compassionate, reaching out to those who are needy and down (Matthew 25:34-36). Healthcare is a perfect platform to do that and even get paid to do so, but I believe God calls us to go beyond any financial incentive and to give our time, talent and resources sacrificially. That’s why I love CMDA’s Global Health Outreach (GHO) and Medical Education International (MEI) mission outreaches where we expect nothing in return, only the pleasure of our Lord and Master.

CMDA is all about bringing healthcare professionals together to more powerfully do the work of God. By our membership and camaraderie, we encourage one another and are educated and equipped to do what God has for us, even in our latter years. I have learned from several mentor leaders at CMDA like Warren Heffron, MD; Al Weir, MD; John Crouch, MD; Gene Rudd, MD; and David Stevens, MD, MA (Ethics), to name a few who, in their fourth quarter of life, continue doing what they can to advance God’s kingdom. Thank you for being part of CMDA and joining in glorifying Christ through your profession and beyond.

About The Author

George Gonzalez, MD, is a Diplomate of the Ameri- can Board of Family Medicine and has practiced for over 30 years in Fresno and Clovis, California. Dr. Gonzalez has served as the medical director of Pregnancy Care Center of Fresno for 20 years. He has been the acting president of the local CMDA Fresno/Clovis Chapter for more than 27 years. He is a founding member of Medical Ministries International (MMI) serving 17 years on the MMI Board. Dr. Gonzalez has been the team leader for over 30 international mission trips and 55 local mission outreaches in the Central Valley of California.