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Aug 17, 2026 06:00am

Walk Worthy

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Every summer, we would host a two-week camp for 20 students interested in health careers. MASH was an incredible way for high school students to get a hands-on, immersive experience in the medical field. These students weren’t just sitting in a classroom getting lectured; they were shadowing doctors, dentists, nurses, physical therapists, surgeons, and more. Their professional behavior was crucial for the continuation of the program and their future in the field.

But these were simply high school students. How much did they truly know about professionalism or even what to expect when they walked into a room with a patient?

During orientation, we walked through a presentation about what the program would be like, a daily schedule, and the professionalism we expected. This also included a section called “awareness.” Be aware of how you are presenting yourself to the staff and the patients. And above all, our director would say, “Don’t embarrass me.”

And my role? Well, I was like their mom for two weeks. I was with them constantly, watching over them, offering correction if needed, providing answers, encouraging them, and trying to set an example for them to follow.

Each day throughout the two weeks, we would have a time of reflection called “post-conference.” The students could ask questions about what they had seen that day, make notes, journal about their experiences, write thank-you notes, and we could go over any adjustments that needed to be made.

To this day, I still have medical professionals tell me what exemplary students we had in MASH and how much they loved having them each summer. Many of those students are thriving in the medical field, caring for patients of their own, and some are even hosting MASH students to shadow them.

To say I’m proud of my “kids” is an understatement.

**1 Thessalonians 2:10–12**

*“You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”*

Paul had “children” of his own he was instructing. These were his spiritual children. He and his fellow missionaries had brought the gospel to the Thessalonians, and a church began. But they didn’t just leave them. They instructed them on what it meant to be a follower of Christ. They laid out what was expected from God, and they taught them how to love and serve others by example.

And perhaps, like any parent, Paul could have said to them, “Don’t embarrass me.”

As he left to continue his missionary journey, he believed they would follow their instruction. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, these believers lived lives that were worthy of God.

This is the part in my morning study where I ask myself, “And what about me? Would God be proud of my life or embarrassed? Am I following His instructions and living a life that is worthy of God?”

I think we could all say we have some areas of improvement, couldn’t we? But where is our heart? Do we desire to live according to His Word, or are we focused on our own way?

If we want to have a lasting impact on this world for the Kingdom of God, let’s lean into the Father. With His instruction and guidance, His love and encouragement, and His correction when needed, we can live a life worthy of God.