Fredrick Buechner says, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”
As we have been discussing the past several weeks, holiness is very dynamic and not static. In other words, to live a holy life means to be active in the world with real people in real life situations. It means getting dirty - not with sin - but in lovingly serving and ministering to people.
In that way it’s not too far from the example Jesus gave when he did the nasty job of washing his disciples feet. He did a humble act of loving service in order to illustrate what it meant to follow Him. Making his point, he said:
"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." - John 13:14-17
So, if I am serious about pursuing a holy life I need to be serious about washing feet. I need to be serious about ministry to others.
Which brings me back to the Buechner quote. Pursuing holiness means ministering to the needs of others in areas where we have God-given passion and joy. And it seems to me that each person’s passion may be different. If that is true, the key isn't WHERE WE ARE specifically, but THAT WE ARE engaged.
What do you think?
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Jesus' act of washing the disciples' feet was not one concerning hygiene., but to illustrate a point, which was well made, and has stood the test of time. Being humble, what is it(?), it is, in part, the willingness to follow through on the sincere needs of others. Washing another's feet is not the only indication of humility. Find other ways to display it.
ReplyDeleteWe are all called to minister to those around us. It is integral in your daily and overall walk with God. You do not have to specifically talented or well-equipped to be able to minister. You simply have to do as God tells you when He tells you. God does not call the equipped, He equips the call. Good post!
ReplyDeleteI like what Richard Foster wrote in his book, Life with God, “In his life on earth, Jesus forever rooted the life of holiness in the dust and sweat of human existence.”
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