CELERY
Chris Tiegreen’s book, The One Year Salt and Light Devotional: 365 Inspirations to Equip and Encourage You to Live Out Your Calling in the World, contains a reflection called “Worth Everything” which I will share here.
But first, allow me to tell you how it captures the start of my own journey in following God in my life.
Several years ago, my husband and I were members of Couples for Christ (CFC). During that time, I attended a retreat organized by the Intercessors of the Lamb in Nebraska, USA. I was assigned a nun as my spiritual guide, and one day, she gave me a Scripture passage to meditate on – the story of the blind man, Bartimaeus.
Mark 10:46–52
They came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, he is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.
As I closed my eyes to imagine the scene and reflect, I pictured myself sitting beside Bartimaeus. When Jesus approached me and asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” I paused and hesitated. For so long, I had been praying for healing from my struggles, asking for so many things. But in that moment, I realized the things I asked from him before were no longer urgent.
Suddenly, it became clear. I told Him in my heart, “Lord, I want to be like your disciples. I want to be one of them who are following you.
And from that moment on, Jesus took me seriously. He never stopped pursuing me. I couldn’t avoid him anymore; I couldn’t get him out of my heart and mind. In the years that followed, he walked with me through both bright and dark seasons. He led me down a narrow, sometimes difficult painful path. But the more I surrendered to his leading, the stronger and more committed I became. His presence in my life became deeply real and essential.
There were times I thought I had to wait on Him for direction. But in truth, I realized he was the one patiently waiting for me. Looking back, I never imagined the depth of his love until I made that decision to believe and trust him. Truly, I could not have lived my life without him.
Now, with the recent passing of Pope Francis, I am reminded of what it means to follow Christ. This Pope’s life speaks volumes. He is a faithful follower of Christ who inspires me to continue the journey with courage and hope to the very end.
Worth Everything
CHRIS TIEGREEN
Acts 20:13-27
My life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus. (Acts 20:24)
PÁDRAIG—LATER KNOWN as Saint Patrick—was captured by Irish pirates and held in bondage for six years in the late 400s. After his escape and return to Britain, he had a vision that would send him back to Ireland as a missionary. He followed his assignment, persevered against opposition and hardships, baptized thousands of people, and formed new Christian communities. Many Irish today consider him to be their patron saint and foremost apostle.
Paul spoke often of his assignment as an apostle of the message of Jesus, and no one could accuse him of not taking it seriously. He had received clear instructions from the Lord in a dramatic encounter with Jesus, and it shaped the rest of his life. He was relentless in his pursuit of his calling and very aware of his need to fulfill it. He persevered through numerous trials and much opposition to finish his assignment because the task was bigger than his life. He was determined to complete it or die trying.
Paul, Patrick, and many others throughout history have been given a specific assignment to fulfill, while countless others have been given a general assignment. The pattern we observe among Christian believers is that those who have a strong and specific sense of calling work zealously and endure a lot, while those who are aware of a general calling are usually less motivated. If we consider only the calling, this pattern is understandable. If we consider the caller, it doesn’t make sense.
Most of us admire people like Paul and Patrick for their unique roles in history. But we tend to minimize the importance of our own roles as God’s children, as if that were any less of a calling. It isn’t. Every moment matters. Every believer is sent into the world as salt and light. Every relationship is an opportunity to reflect God’s nature. And every calling—specific or general—is bigger than our own lives. Why? Because of the one who calls. Serve him wholeheartedly in every situation.
Father, there are no small callings in your Kingdom. You are worthy of my life, however you choose to use it. May I fulfill any assignment you give me, specific or not, with all my heart every moment of every day. Amen.