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Called to be Faithful |
Called to be Faithful
“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”1
Mark Hatfield tells of touring Calcutta with Mother Teresa and visiting the so-called "House of Dying," where sick children are cared for in their last days, and the dispensary, where the poor line up by the hundreds to receive medical attention.
Watching Mother Teresa minister to these people, feeding and nursing those left by others to die, Hatfield was overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the suffering she and her co-workers faced daily. "How can you bear the load without being crushed by it?" he asked. Mother Teresa replied, "My dear Senator, I am not called to be successful, I am called to be faithful."2
This story reminded me of a recent conversation I was having with someone. This person was asking about the different areas my husband and I serve in and was curious if we ever become discouraged when those we serve don’t respond to the Gospel message as we hoped they would. This question made me giggle because, if they had asked me 10-15 years ago, I may have said, “ABSOLUTELY!” However, if there is something God has taught me over the last decade or so, it is that my calling is to be faithful in serving others. That service may look different for each group of people we serve, but it should always be done in love. This is the love of God that was so freely given to us, that we have received, experienced in our lives, and now have the privilege of sharing with others. Is my job to worry and stress about the result or how each person responds to this love? No. My job is to plant the seed of the Love of Jesus and let God give growth in His due time. There are times where we have encountered people greatly suffering and while our hearts break for their situation, it only encourages to keep going because you realize that people desperately need Jesus.
Our days are counted and time passes quickly, let us make the most of the time God has given us to make a difference in the lives of others by showing them the love of Jesus.
Suggested prayer: Dear Lord, help me never grow weary of showing Your love to others. Whether it be to my family, friends, co-workers, church family, or the person I just met, help my life be a reflection of who You are. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.
1. Galatians 5:13-14 (NLT).
2. www.sermoncentral.com
Today’s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.