“I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Job 19:25-27 NIV
How are you this week? How is your heart?
A few months ago, I had made my way to Boston where I found myself in the midst of the most difficult transition that I have experienced throughout my travel nursing career thus far.
I had been assigned to the hospital float pool, making it hard to find a rhythm at work or any consistency in the people I was working alongside. The flow and culture within the hospital was quite different than that which I was used to. The culture of the northeast in general was fulfilling that which I had been warned about, as I was finding it difficult to truly and genuinely connect with many people. And after having not been working over the holidays, the four twelve hour shifts were quick to catch up on me. I was exhausted and I was only making my way into week three.
It was in that weariness that I decided my days away from work would be spent rejuvenating with the Lord, so that I could return to each stretch of work days reenergized and ready to give it my all. I was fully convinced that this is just how it was going to be for the remainder of my time in Boston.
In the spread of days that I was off between week two and week three, I was determined to do just that. I spent a lot of time reading, writing, studying scripture, and just inviting the Lord into every space of my day. I ran with Him, I explored the new city with Him, and I sat with Him in stillness on the bench outside of my apartment. I wanted to head into week three with my cup overflowing, even if it meant coming out of my work days empty once again.
The day to return to work came quickly. That morning, I woke up and spent some time in the Word and having come across this verse Job, I immediately knew that it was the verse that I needed to carry into the day that awaited me.
I knew it was likely that challenges would come my way in that day, just as they had throughout my first two weeks, but I knew that if I could keep this verse at the forefront of my mind, I could be reminded of my true purpose, even through the struggle.
“My redeemer lives.”
Just before walking out the door, I decided to write Job 19:25 on my wrist just below my watchband; a spot that I would see often and where my pen marks were least likely to get washed away quickly.
I cannot even begin to put words to how evident God’s presence was throughout that day. I was met with kindness from the moment that I stepped onto my assigned unit – from the nurse who gave me report to the coworkers that worked that shift with me and even some ancillary staff members throughout the day.
But even more comforting than that, was the peace that I was met with when I would catch a glance of the verse written on my wrist. A smile would stretch across my mask-covered face as I would say in my mind, “My redeemer lives”.
These three words were so refreshing time and time again. Just as Job, I knew that no matter what came my way – days of struggle or days met with kindness – my Redeemer is alive and my Redeemer will live on, and in Him, I too am alive and will live on. That, in itself, reminded me of what was truly important at the end of the day. It reminded me that there is reason to rejoice even in the struggle. And it reminded me that my purpose was much greater than that which is written into a job description.
It was not the verse itself written on my wrist nor the pen I wrote it with, but the Author of those words who overwhelmed me with peace and joy. I encourage you to invite God into your every single day. Invite Him in when you are among mountain tops, trudging through the valleys, or walking on level ground.
I am not here to tell you that you will be met with good days if you write a verse on your wrist, but I do believe that when we are equipped with the Word of God and rooted in the hope of Christ, it will be much easier to smile no matter what comes your way. My days underwent their ups and downs, the verses that I carried with me changed, but He remains the same.
So what verse can you carry with you today? Write it on your wrist. Jot it down on a sticky note. Take a screenshot or send yourself a text. Commit a few words to memory for the day. Whatever you have to do to be reminded that you are not walking alone, but with the living Redeemer today – do it.
