Do you have a G P?

By Dennis Kresier, Layperson Last Mountain Anglican Parish

November 17, 2024

Key points from this story:

• Alberta faces severe GP shortage
• Author waited 5 months for medical clearance
• Personal encounter with "Great Physician" in 1955
• Importance of spiritual well-being alongside physical health
• Author's interpretation of afterlife based on biblical account
• Invitation to consider Jesus as personal "Great Physician"

What a blessing they all are! However, the move had some side effects. When you move to Alberta and are over 65, you require a doctor's medical form before licenses and insurance can be issued. Alberta, like most provincial jurisdictions, has a severe shortage of G.P.'s (General Practitioners) and getting and then waiting for an appointment can be up to 5 months. The allotted time for these procedures is 90 days. Ours took nearly 5 months because of a G.P. shortage. Gone are the days of seeing a G.P. on short notice.

When I was a teenager, I required an appendix operation & it was done within 24 hours--I was very fortunate!! But, did you know there is a G.P. who is available 24/7, no appointment necessary & no waiting time? He operates without surgery, scalpels, stitches, etc. There are no outside visible scars to be seen. He can cure cancer, crones, covid, colitis, & any other kind of ailment. This G.P. is the GREAT PHYSICIAN! He not only can make us well physically, but is intrinsically involved in our personal and spiritual welfare and well-being. All we need to do is give Him permission to help.

On Nov. 17, 1955, I had a personal encounter with this Great Physician. It turned out to be the most logical and practical experience of my life to date. This encounter occurred several months after my appendectomy & while the scar is still visible from this operation on the outside, on the inside there is joy and a lasting peace and contentment.

It puzzles me that when it comes to the concern and welfare of our bodies, so often we forget about our souls. Inherent within all of us is the fact that we have a soul and we should be concerned about this as well as our body. We know that mankind has wondered for years, what happens after we pass away. Philosophers, physicians, theologians and a host of others, have tried to help us understand this important issue. No one has any "really satisfactory" answer to this question, not even our G.P.'s. I have personally given this matter much thought. Permit me to share my views.

It has been my privilege to have stood on Mt. Calvary, outside the walls of Old Jerusalem and in the ominous shadow of Golgotha, the Place of the Skull. In my minds eye, I have visioned the crucifixion scene--Jesus crucified in the middle and flanked by 2 criminals. Read the account in Luke 23:43. One criminal scorns Jesus and states that if He is the Christ, come down from the cross, save Himself and them, and they will believe Him. The other criminal states, "Lord, remember me when you come into your glory." Jesus responds, "Verily (truly) I say to you, today you shall be with me in paradise." Not tomorrow, or next week, but today! This works for me! I cannot wait, or imagine, what is in store for me when I have taken my last breath and appear in the presence of my benevolent Saviour!! At that moment I will be more alive than I have ever been!

This Great Physician is my G.P.---is He Yours?