A New Prescription: “Medicine (For Someone Else)”—More Good Medicine

These antique medicine bottles bring to mind a song that I recently heard, bringing  to mind days when I “made medicine,” as a pharmacist.

Recently as I listened to a local gospel music radio station, I heard a rendition of “Medicine (For Someone Else)” performed by Ruben Studdard and The Black Academy Choir.  Described as a “comforting soul ballad,” the song brought to mind my blog “Dr. J’s Apothecary Shoppe,” where I thought this would make a wonderful musical prescription that I could add to the shelves of “Good Medicine.” The following excerpt from an entry posted at the beginning of last year captures the essence of what I hoped the blog would be:

During the first week of the first month of the New Year 2012, as I prepare a blog entry for Dr. J’s Apothecary Shoppe, I recall the early days of my first profession as a registered pharmacist. For more than 25 years I was a practicing pharmacist, but now as a writer and minister, I use my skills in poetry and prose while incorporating music and visual arts to “fill prescriptions” designed to minister to the heart and soul in this blog.

To become more faithful in blogging, I plan to post “Word for the Day: Daily Dose of Good Medicine.” I invite you to stop by and see what remedies I have been working on recently, as I continue to compound “After the Art of the Apothecary.”

To learn more about “Good Medicine” from Dr. J. click here.

Now for your listening enjoyment, here is “Medicine (For Someone Else).”

As I listened to the song again, I realize that so often seemingly adverse situations that we encounter and endure turn out to be a blessing and inspiration for others whom we provide comfort to, as the God of all comfort comforts us in all our trials:

1 Corinthians 1:3-4:

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

The lyrics to the Ruben Studdard song remind us, that as we walk in the steps of Christ we will come to realize that our lives are not really about us but about others:

Take the trials that you been through

And all the times life made you blue

Search down deep within yourself

Ooohhh make it medicine for someone else, someone else

Not too long ago, after a very stimulating discussion at a men’s meeting at our church, I was inspired to write a poem related to a distinguishing marks of manhood, described as “sacrificial living.”

Sacrificial Living: Assignment of Manhood

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12: 1

 

Forgetting things left behind, I press toward the mark.

The passion that now enflames my life was once a spark.

This all-consuming fire, great light dispels the dark,

As I abide in God’s presence in a place beyond the Ark.

I continue to strive ever toward the highest good

With sacrificial living: assignment of manhood.

 

Like Christ, I endure the cross while despising the shame

And accept this high calling and embrace my new name.

By grace to stand in His presence without any blame,

I continue to strive ever toward the highest good.

 

Always remaining aware that God is in control,

I am still running to serve as my life’s highest goal.

This zeal for God and His Word burns deep within my soul,

With sacrificial living: assignment of manhood.

 

Being fully persuaded, I now know that I know

That God will fulfill His will and declare, “It is so!”

I set aside pride; where He leads me I will follow:

I continue to strive ever toward the highest good.

 

Looking to the future, I walk by faith, not by sight.

To do all the will of God still remains my delight

To follow Christ’s command that I should be salt and light

With sacrificial Living: assignment of manhood.

 

To speak the Word of life in all that I do and say,

To follow in the steps of Christ all along the way.

Until the final victory I must watch, fight and pray.

I continue to strive ever toward the highest good.

 

Triumphant from faith to faith and glory to glory,

I still seek God’s face in the place of my destiny.

Life continues to unfold as a scroll before me.

With sacrificial living: assignment of manhood.

 

With a love so strong, yet ever so tender,

Nothing can dissuade me, nor can anything hinder.

I will hold fast to the faith and never surrender.

God’s Word hidden in my heart, I’ll always remember:

I continue to strive ever toward the highest good

With sacrificial living: assignment of manhood.

 

Hearing the song with its reference to “making medicine” along with other scriptures and conversations, I continue to be grateful for the constant reminders to live sacrificially.

Prescriptions filled in Dr. J’s Apothecary Shoppe provide “Good Medicine” for those who partake.

Tags: good medicine, Make Medicine, Romans 12:1, Sacrificial Living