Healthy Life: My dream – My reflection (889)

Healthy Life: My Dream – My Reflection

蘇鎮邦 (Christopher So)：
舒整物理治療師 (Manipulative Physiotherapist) 人類工程師 (Ergonomist)

In 2003, God gave me an opportunity to serve as a minister. I accepted the challenge for two reasons. I had studied theology for more than 10 years and had completed a Bachelor of Divinity and a Master of Biblical Studies. I was completing a Master of Theology on the topic of The Presence of Christ. I felt the need to do some in-depth thinking to help me to formulate my thesis. Preaching and leading bible studies would help me to achieve such a thinking process. Although I can understand, it does not necessarily mean I can convey such understanding to other believers. Learning and teaching are two different levels. In reality, it did help me to finish my master thesis.

However, in the last stage I had to apply for no pay study leave to finish my degree. I was working half time at that time. I was working in my home clinic and a nursing home doing part-time work. I prayed to God that the church would retain me after I finished. It would be a proof or confirmation that God wanted me to serve that church long term. God had another plan. My position was filled by another minister. I was searching for other ministry.

In 2008, God gave me another opportunity to serve as a part-time minister because one of my pastor friends had to apply for leave for one year. I served for a year and circumstances confirmed to me that God wanted me to leave. I tried to apply for quite a number of positions but God closed the door in each case. I am given opportunity to preach from time to time in various churches. Also, I help out in different Bible study groups as necessary. I humble myself as Moses was going through the wilderness experience. It is not my ambition but God’s plan that takes priority. If I cannot honour God in my service and worse that I may shame him then it is better not to do so. Ministry is a service not a job.

After 6 years in the wilderness, God gave me a vision which I might call my dream. I had thought about it 15 years ago. However, it is more likely that I can work on it now as I am approaching my retirement stage. I pray that my two boys will finish their studies next year and be able to get a job and be independent. Then, I can consider retirement and will be able to pursue my dream. It is what I would call “the Second Gospel”. We need to look after our spiritual health but also our physical health.

My dream or concept is to get a few Christian physiotherapists to set up a non-profit physiotherapy clinic with a high morality, high quality but low fee physiotherapy service. Every physiotherapist will get a reasonable or industrial award wage. All profit will be used to improve the quality of the service. For example, seminars would be organized for patients to manage their physiotherapy problems in terms of prevention and maintenance of physical health. Patients would be encouraged to do voluntary work for the clinic to allow the clinic to provide a low fee service. I will share more details of this plan in the future.

It is my experience that when you help others in reality you help yourself. However, I am fully aware of the complexity of interpersonal relationships. Every person has his/her opinions and thinking. To be successful, administrative and financial pressure need to be overcome and more so, the relationship problems. Internal conflicts are more destructive to an organization than outside pressure. Like Moses, to be able to achieve this dream or vision has to be the work of God not man.

In view of the above reasons, the motto for the clinic is in Philippians 2:2-5 “then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”

We need a manager with integrity to account for the finance of the clinic. Timothy 6:10-12 “ the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

We need a fundraiser to get enough credit to start the clinic. We need to be deeply aware that God is the boss not any one of us. Whether it be in Australia or Hong Kong is up to God’s leading.