The Highest Call

There is something to be said for those who intentionally invest in the journey of others. It is a high calling to be a mentor, to dedicate one’s attention to shaping and pouring into the life of another. But how about those less formal relationships, the daily, routine, seemingly by chance, informal encounters? Are they not really the most challenging of all?

I maintain there is no such thing as a neutral influence. I can add, I can subtract, but I certainly cannot be neutral. That’s apathy, and is there anything more destructive than simply not caring?

My interactions, as routine or innocuous as they may seem, influence others. I don’t have the luxury of determining who I won’t influence. Neither do I have the right to choose who God will place in my path today.

My true spiritual maturity may be measured not when I am “prepared” to influence, but perhaps when I am least prepared; not when life is certain and controlled, but when people observe my spontaneous reactions to the unpredictability of life.

Influences on me have been formal and informal, intentional and spontaneously inspirational. But the people who influence me the most strive to live what they believe every moment. I see Christ in them. I see authenticity, sympathy, empathy, and wisdom. They have a deep love for the whosoever; no one is excluded. With a passion for the eternity of others and sensitivity in the moment, they teach and grasp spiritual opportunities undeterred by the artificial tyranny of a predetermined schedule. They influence up close, they influence from a distance. Their singular desire is to be like Christ.

What pains me is the lack of names I can place to this description. What pains me is the obvious need and absence of these people in the lives of others, particularly young men and women. What pains me is how quickly and easily I can be distracted from Christ’s call to make disciples, to influence, teach, mentor… for Christ.

To live for Christ, to live like Christ, to influence others toward Christ—isn’t this the greatest calling of all?

“Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behaviour from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.”

(Ephesians 5:1, 2 MSG)

Family Grace - More Than a Prayer

Is it possible one’s capacity for grace is never more tested than with family?

Why is it we take more liberty in being critical, offering more (unsolicited) advice and questioning the decision-making ability of family than anyone else? I have some notions on why, but I’m not sure I have an answer or that just one is sufficient. What I do know is that I have seen more families fractured by careless words and rash actions than I care to think about, and this includes Christian families.

Families today are perhaps more at risk, more dysfunctional, and more undervalued than at any time in history. The wanting condition of our society only stands to underline the importance of strong and healthy family relationships.

On occasion, even with the best intentions, I think we can misunderstand our role as a member of a family. My role is not to change or correct, my role is to love and present Christ in my living. It is God by His Holy Spirit that does the convicting and convincing. I cannot be an influence for Christ if I find myself on the outside looking in on the life of my brother, sister, father, mother, son, or daughter, as a result of fostering a less than grace-filled relationship.

The ones I love—those God has entrusted to me in the relationship of family—need to be recipients of grace. The same kind of grace extended to me by God characterized by his unfailing love.

“Grace is not something simply to be claimed; it is meant to be demonstrated. It is to be shared, used as a basis for friendships, and drawn upon for sustained relationships.”¹

Those we love the most often require the most of us, including our grace.

Just a thought