a life of calling
Nov 16, 2008“I am convinced that what characterizes people who know Jesus is not their lack of sin, but the presence of a radical, wild, mysterious calling from God.”
-Collected Writings of Mike Yaconelli, p. 138
Often we think of following Jesus as a list of “nots” and “don’ts.” I hear people say what they’ll have to leave and what they’ll have to quit and what they won’t be able to do if they follow Christ. In the Scriptures, the witnesses who heard and recorded Jesus understood something quite different. What Jesus spoke of was “life more abundant.” Life is more than food, clothing, possessions. Above and beyond any of these things, life is about calling, the Divine calling on your life.
“The mission of the church in America is not only saving souls, it is saving people from a life without calling. The Church, through Jesus, must save its people from a life of meaningless, unfulfilling empty work.”
-Collected Writings of Mike Yaconelli, p. 139
At mid-week prayer meeting we read Ephesians 4 together. What stood out for me was verse 28, which says, “Those who have been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” The thief is told not to steal and to do something meaningful with their hands on behalf of those in need. Instead of only being told not to steal, the Bible says what they should do.
Jesus came to be the “Bread of Life” that truly satisfies, the “Living Water” that quenches our thirst and “The Life” that ignites passion in our hearts – infusing our everyday with meaning and purpose.
Instead of what you’re not, or what is not in your life, realize what Jesus has made you to be.
Yesterday, over 20 volunteers went door-to-door, inviting our neighbors to give to our food drive for the needy. All food will be given to a local organization, Philabundance, who will distribute the items to those in greatest need. I am pleased to say that together with our Chestnut Hill community we have collected in the neighborhood of 1,000 – 1,200 lbs. (we’ll know the exact weight at drop off) of non-perishable food! This is in addition to the fresh and canned food that we collected as a church for the Thanksgiving Baskets for those in need in our church community! Thank you so much for your generosity! Together, by Jesus’ power, we can make a difference!
May you live life more abundantly.
May you live a life of calling.
-Pastor Tara VinCross
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