Shift Change

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hift change in a hospital is a very exciting time.  The outgoing shift makes final preparations to leave while the incoming shift gets ready to take over and complete the work already in progress. 

The most important aspect of this “changing of the guard” is the passing of information.  All the nurses, technicians, orderlies, doctors, etc. are briefed concerning the conditions of all the patients.  In addition, updates are given about any procedures occurring during the first shift and any changes of medication or therapy are also shared.

In June of 1975 I experienced my first real shift change.  It was on a Monday morning.  Doctors had just performed open-heart surgery the Friday before and I arrived on the ward over the weekend.  But at 7:00 a.m. Monday morning, everything changed!

The first shift supervisor’s name was Mrs. Strickland and when she arrived on the floor, things began to hop.  She was an excellent supervisor, making sure everything ran according to the book.  Nothing escaped her notice and I could tell that all the nurses respected her and were a little afraid of her as well.

It amazed me how one person could have that much influence, could pull that much weight, and could set the tone for so many other people.  Whatever Mrs. Strickland said, was law on that ward.  The interns and the doctors respected her as well and knew their orders would be followed to the letter.

The Old Testament records many such shift changes in the history of Israel.  In her history, Israel had many kings.  Some of them were good and some were evil but all of them set the tone for the nation.  The man on the throne, the man supervising God’s people, exemplified for his

people the manner in which God would be worshipped and honored during his reign.

2 Chronicles 33:1-3 records one of these shift changes.  Let’s take a look at what the scriptures say about a man called Manasseh. “Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years.  He did evil in the eyes of the Lord , following the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites.  He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had demolished; he also erected altars to the Baals and made Asherah poles. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them”

This was a devastating shift change for Israel.  Manasseh did not follow his father Hezekiah, but undid all his father had done.  He led the people astray (vs. 9) and encouraged them to worship other gods.  His supervision of Israel led to their demise and further separation from God.

Finally, the people were attacked and Manasseh was taken in chains to Babylon.  He cried out to God for forgiveness and God restored him and brought him back to Jerusalem where he tore down the idols and altars to foreign gods.  This time, the shift change went smoothly and God was honored and obeyed and the people were brought back to God.

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oday, you may be facing a shift change in your life.  You may be experiencing a change in job, a change in location, or a change in relationship.  Whatever the situation, let God be your supervisor.  Let him dictate the road ahead and make the decisions for you.  When we take matters into our own hands, shift change never goes smoothly, not for us or for those around us.  When God takes the floor, however, everything goes according to plan and always by the book!