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After removing my scrubs, I scan my badge and drop the gray, boxy uniform in the return bin—a routine I do every day before heading home. Then, I change back into my t-shirt and joggers, since I like fitness clothes for two reasons: they’re comfortable and, honestly, it’s in fashion to look athletic. As I head out of the hospital, one of the nurses—just coming off her shift after handing off her patients—stops me and says, “Thank you for helping my patient today.” I tell her, “No problem.” Earlier, one of our members needed help with their co-pay, so I was called to the bedside to see if I could assist. I ended up working with our billing and admissions experts, and roped in other leaders in our organization to help our mutual patient. After the workday, on our way to the parking lot, the same nurse says to me, as a follow-up, “You like to help people, right, Brian? You’re always helping us.” I told her I try to be as helpful as I can. On my way home, I started thinking about the concept of helping others or serving others—something I feel is missing in our nation and communities. Where does serving others, or the idea of being hospitable, stand today? Whether that question can be answered earnestly—and whether I can guide your thinking or shape this traveler's tale—is something only you, the reader, can decide. It may be that faith is a part of serving others.
Faith involves both contemplation and action—reflecting the message of St. James that belief must be expressed through duty to others (
The Holy Bible, New International Version, 1999, James 2:26). Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of late former President John F. Kennedy, as highlighted in an interview she had with Eric Metaxas (2019) expressed in her interiew this balance between inward conviction and outward action is a lived reality for her, as well as many Christians. Her father, most profoundly, notably commemorated for his inaugural address in 1961, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country” (National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). It is a testament to the impact he had not only as a father but also in public service, and to the role faith played in the Kennedy family. Faith and serving others are apolitical. The link to the interview can be found
here.
In addition, if we take a moment to paraphrase the 16th-century English chancellor, Francis Bacon, as Bowen (1963) notes in her biography of the impact he had with his philosophical views, declared that some books should be sampled like an appetizer, some swallowed, and others devoured (Bowen, 1963, p. 88). Bacon’s advice stands firm. One such book is the biography of Deidrtich Bonheoffer, by Eric Metaxas.
Imagine living in a world where the systematic purge of human beings—especially those of different races and ideological backgrounds—was orchestrated by a tyrant determined to create a so-called supreme race. This scenario is not difficult to envision, as it was a grim reality on the European front of World War II, less than a century ago. While the horrors of the concentration camps and atrocities committed against German Jews are often taught in elementary history, a lesser-known truth is that among Hitler’s targets were the most marginalized and defenseless—those who were infirm, weak, or ill, including hospital patients and the convalescing.
According to Metaxas (2010, p. 184), who wrote extensively on the historical significance of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Hitler described those needing care in hospitals as “needless feeders” and “unfit to live.” Some of Hitler’s most brazen acts involved pressuring hospitals to surrender their sick and ill, so they could be “put out of their misery.” This makes clear that Hitler’s tyranny targeted not only those of Jewish heritage, but also the vulnerable, and that his regime was fundamentally opposed to the church in which Christian views were made real by caring for the sick and needy. In the face of such evil, Bonhoeffer—a German Christian—stood in opposition to the Third Reich.
Is it not a great privilege to live in a country where tyrants do not rule, where we truly have freedoms that many other nations do not? If there is a strong correlation to those who have served, is it not because of great sacrifice, a sense of duty, and community that we enjoy such freedoms? The stark contrast between John F. Kennedy’s leadership and Hitler’s style of government is understated and not the intent of this dialogue, but what Eric Metaxas makes clear is how Bonhoeffer—a German Christian, despite being caught up in the diabolical environment of Germany at the time—clung to his faith and sense of service. Giving up his life for his convictions, Bonhoeffer’s example is a higher calling to those of us who profess the Christian faith.
According to some, those in positions of power and influence can be either loved or feared by their constituents, employees, or citizens, since people are, by nature, both inclined to obey and resistant to authority (Bass, 2008, pp. 51-55). Leadership styles and influence vary, but servant-style leadership—putting others' needs first—tends to resonate more with some than with others. Robert Greenleaf’s theory of servant leadership encourages leaders to set aside ego and self-interest in favor of serving others. Embracing the responsibility of being dutiful is a virtue of leadership and a character trait that may be lacking in some, but not all. Though we need not be national political figures, we can each strive to serve others through small acts of help and kindness, no matter our time or place.
References:
Bass, B. M. (2008). Models and Theories of Leadership. In The Bass Handbook of Leadership: Theory, Research, & Managerial Applications (4th ed., pp. 47-78). essay, Simon & Schuster.
Bowen, C. D. (1963). Francis Bacon: The temper of a man. Little, Brown.
Metaxas, E. (2010). Bonhoeffer: pastor, martyr, prophet, spy. Thomas Nelson.
The Holy Bible: New International Version. (1999). Cornerstone Bible Publishers.
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