Sacrificing church to study instead SMH

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I mentally debate weekly between church service or study time. What gives?? Im NEVER sorry when I choose church, but I still feel like I am dragging myself away from my books EVERY Sunday! Even if I just watch Chuck Swindoll, Charles Stanley or Joyce Meyer on You Tube that week, how can I prevent feeling "guilty" for not studying? I know that I need my 3 hour service every week for motivation, priority reminders and the (rare) social connection, apart from my BSN program. What other mantra can I tell myself then for spending a fraction of my week to keep up with my personal, spiritual maintenance?

Maybe it isnt so different than making "me time" or "family time" a priority like so many other students struggle to balance, though I feel like it is. My time with God, in church, IS my me time & is very satisfying. Besides I wouldnt even BE blessed with this wonderful mission to become a nurse, if not for God opening doors towards my new life fulfilling purpose. But I am torn between fulfilling my mission to learn the skills needed to successfully help others vs. putting time with God first, sigh. So, guess my question is this ... Is dedicating myself primarily to successfully becoming a nurse a noble justification for neglecting my church time? Or am I just plain ol' idolizing my career?

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We're supposed to put God first. Would you feel better if you took prayer time during small breaks? If the question bothers you, you need to make peace with it some way that works for you.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Recovery.

I agree that we have to put God first. In the interest of time I'm posting a link for a post I read a while back. I hope it is helpful to you.

http://www.reasonablefaith.org/priorities-and-productivity

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I agree if you out God first he will make a way for studying out if no way and he will help you tp retain the information learned

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Specializes in ICU.

I agree that you are supposed to put God first, but this situation is really not very different from working on church days and being unable to attend, because you are at work. Can't you spend 10 min. or so worshipping by yourself? 12 hour shifts completely knock me out of going to church many, many days. Our church meets at 10 on Sunday morning, and I work every other weekend. I used to think this was OK, because I was doing God's work by tending to my patients, but then someone reminded me "that doesn't count because you are PAID for it." Praying for you to make the right decision.

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Specializes in hospice.

Either God is first or He isn't. Bottom line. You have to choose and be comfortable with how you will justify that choice when you stand before the Throne. Are any of us perfect? Nope. Can we still work at being the best we can be? Yep.

That said, three hours is a LONG time. Do you have any options that would fulfill your faith obligation but take less time? Mass takes 1-1.5 hours at my parish and that's about standard. Add in visiting over donuts and coffee in the hall afterward and it's still 2 hours or less. Since I work almost every Saturday night, I go home and crash into bed right after. ;}

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Specializes in hospice.
I used to think this was OK, because I was doing God's work by tending to my patients, but then someone reminded me "that doesn't count because you are PAID for it."

I've struggled with this too. I don't use work to justify missing Mass, especially because I have so many options for times and places to attend around my work hours. However, I also think saying it doesn't count as service because we get paid for it is going too far. Yes, we get paid, so it's not entirely selfless, BUT we are choosing to put ourselves (and our families) at a pretty high amount of risk for injury and disease by doing this work. And all workers have a right to wages, with which to support themselves and their families, for their work.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day, PrayingToPass:

God first, but God is not a building, nor is a building God.

Thank you.

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Specializes in Critical Care, PICU, OR.

I'd just say the motto of Benedictine monks: "Ora et labora" - "Pray AND work".

In the past, they often asked the candidates which word is the most important - and the answer was "AND".

Be balanced. If you work on Sunday, you are praising God also by your WORK, more, by your SERVICE.

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you are studying to become a care-giver, hopefully with compassion and kindness to all truly in need. I don't think God will be upset if you miss church for a few weeks or months.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Recovery.

The bible clearly says in Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching. Church is clearly a place that we can worship, hear God's word, and grow spiritually. Of course, I mean a REAL church with a man of God that preaches that Jesus Christ suffered and died, was buried, and rose again the third day so that anyone who calls on Jesus in sincere repentance will be saved from hell eternally. This is what I mean by a real church. If you are in a church like this, that preaches the bible faithfully from Genesis to Revelation, you should do everything you can to be faithful in your church attendance. You should give God of your time, talent, and your finances. After all, we belong to him and not ourselves. This is what I practiced while in my Adn program, and also when I did my RN-BSN program, and God blessed me for it. I also believe that we can be much better when it comes to time management. If you are unconvinced, please read this link from an extremely successful Christian acedemic, who many regard to be one of the most compelling defenders of Christianity today http://www.reasonablefaith.org/priorities-and-productivity

Trying to help,

Larry

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Specializes in Critical Care; Recovery.

I would also like to add that many attempt to excuse themselves from attending a good, bible believing church on the grounds that nursing is a "ministry". While I do believe that we can be a blessing to the sick in their time of need, and that at some level we may be able to witness to our patients or coworkers, I am unconvinced that this is a ministry in the biblical since of the word. A ministry is something that contributes to the spreading of the gospel as recorded in 1 Corinthians ch15 vs 1-4. It is clear from scripture that we are participating in a ministry when we give of our time, talents, and finances to the local church. Again just my two cents. Take it or leave it.

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