Boden, Switzerland
Personal Calling
Mark 9:36-37
The needs of the world are overwhelming. But just because I can’t do everything, that isn’t a reason to do nothing. I notice that Jesus doesn’t ask His disciples to be magnanimous towards all humanity, but to welcome one child in His name. Who might that ‘one’ person be for me today?
Pete Greig, Lectio 365 9/08/22
Points to Draw from Mark chapter 9.
Pete Greig's comment above is highly significant in the World of today. The feelings of being overwhelmed are all too common to Christians trying to live effective lives in the situation they find themselves in. One major consideration that is often overlooked is the fact that we live in a highly connected World. News comes at us incessantly and it would seem that every five minutes or so a new item that demonstrates the brokenness of this World clamours for our attention. We can so easily stand on the shore line looking out towards the churning sea of World affairs and be transfixed by the sight of the massive tsunami hurtling towards us. NOW is the time to pray!
The beautiful little chorus of yesteryear who's words take on a powerful significance are:
All your anxiety, all your care
Bing to the mercy seat leave them there
Never a burden He cannot share
Never a friend like Jesus.
One of the first signs of wisdom that we can demonstrate is an understanding of the finiteness of our own being. Having grasped the magnitude of our weakness we can turn to a far greater sign of maturity, that is the realisation of the infinity of God. The deluge that threatens to annihilate us is really not our concern. God, in His love, wants us to be aware of what we are part of. He is that seat of mercy the chorus above talks about. He doesn't, though, leave us as mere spectators. The effects the tsunami is having on the little rock pool we are standing beside is what God wants us to get involved with.
Another chorus, this time written for children will probably help here:
Jesus bids us shine with a clear pure light
Like a little candle burning in the night
In this World of darkness so we must shine
You in your small corner and I in mine.
In the naivety of these simple words we find deep and meaningful truths.
The purity of the way we live our lives
That our lives should be an illumination in this "World of Darkness"
We have territory assigned to us to be responsible for.
Perhaps the third sign of wisdom that we will be called to display is the fact that we have an unassailable faith in God that He still works miracles. Remember that shore line we spoke of earlier? God takes all of those people tending to the little rock pools that are their own small corners and, like Eziekiel's dry bones He takes them, adds His life and Spirit to them and builds from it all a mighty army that will "Conquer the foe".
The terrifying vision of that all devouring tsunami, the almost insignificant rock pool that is our small corner and God's heavy lifting forms part of His master plan for this broken World we live in. The "NOW" is, of course what we mentioned earlier, namely pray, pray and pray again.
Do not be Afraid!
Roger Manchester UK
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