Denver Institute for Faith & Work is excited to welcome Jeanne Oh Kim as our newest board member. I recently asked Jeanne about her role as a pediatrician, a mother, and wife, and the ways she integrates her faith and her work as a physician.
My prayer when I drive to work is that I would be an extension of Jesus’ healing hands, and that my patients and their families would encounter Jesus and His love through me. I pray over my exam rooms and pray that His Kingdom would come into my rooms and my work areas. I pray for a spirit of discernment and wisdom before and during my visits and that I have eyes to “see” the reality of what is really going on. I will also pray over patients, if they are open to receiving prayer. Over the years, I have learned that healing can be complicated as we are mind, body, and spirit. Illnesses can be from living in the natural realm ie, contracting a cold or flu virus. However, illnesses can also be rooted in the spirit realm, in the spirit or mind. This is where I need the Holy Spirit to come even more. As physicians, we have such a privilege to walk with families through their journey of parenting as they share their hearts and often their brokenness. It is my prayer that they encounter the love of God through healing, whether it is through a prescription, encouragement, counsel, or intercessory prayer. Jesus calls us to heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead as the Kingdom of God comes, and that is my calling.
This is a work in progress and depends on the day, month, year, and season. It is probably a good thing that most people don’t really know what they are getting into as they decide to become parents. I have found that it is a journey of surrendering our control to a Father who loves our children and ourselves more than we do. The truth is that His ways really are better than ours, not necessarily easier, but definitely more beautiful. Our children belong to God and as my husband likes to say, “we are raising our sons to become our brothers.” Life is a “dance” of ministering and pouring into the families of others at work, while not sacrificing my own family. I think the main word is “fluid.” As we work and parent, we must be able to adjust and transition to each season and new situation. I felt God say, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30). Jesus says to me, “I am here! Let me do more of the work (since He is better at it anyway). You are not alone.” I also strongly believe that we need to have a bigger world view than “L.A. to New York,” so medical missions is a great way to respond to my vocational calling and discipling my boys to see, meet, and redeem the greater family of God, which allows me to integrate my faith and work.
When I heard Skye Jethani speak at a DIFW event many years ago, it sparked a journey of figuring out how to integrate our faith and work and asking myself how these became separated. I believe that our highest calling is to love the Lord with all our heart, mind and soul. We are all gifted with special talents which are meant to reflect who God is to all people, and through our gifts, we are to redeem the earth. Out of this highest calling, we have a vocational calling that uses these gifts, and I love that DIFW is committed to equipping and encouraging the family of God by giving purpose to these gifts which are meant to reflect who God is to the earth.
Jesus said, “My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” (John 5:17) I keep hearing the word “revival” from so many believers. Although God has always been working, I sense that He is getting ready to do something extra amazing, for the hearts of people are becoming open and hungry to experience Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in a new way. It will not only be on Sunday but in the everyday, through our work. I feel that DIFW is getting people inspired to rethink about what their work means so that they can be part of this coming revival to Denver and beyond!
