DO WE HAVE A CHOICE BUT TO SERVE AND LOVE THEE BEST OF ALL?

            I’ve been reading the Catholic Church’s Stewardship Letter from several decades ago, and have been moved by some of what I have been reading. Today, I’d like to visit a bit of the section titled “The Call.” It says that “the Christian vocation is essentially a call to be a disciple of Jesus.” The letter goes on to say that the stewardship is part of that.

            However, the line that grabbed me said “Christians are called to be good stewards of the personal vocations they receive.”

            How often is our understanding of stewardship limited to money or serving in the church? Too often! What if our understanding of stewardship is taken with us outside the church walls and outside our church “work” into our “work” lives? That may seem easy if the call is to “ordained” work or “church” work. But…

• ·         What if your call as an attorney is Jesus’ call on your life?
• ·         What if your call as a farmer is Jesus’ call on your life?
• ·         What if your call as a day care provider is Jesus’ call on your life?
• ·         What if your call as teacher is Jesus’ call on your life?
• ·         What if your call as [fill in the blank] is Jesus’ call on your life?

            Jesus calls all of us to follow him. Jesus called the original 12 disciples to follow him, to leave their lives and to become “fishers of men.”

            We are called by Jesus as individuals. Just as each of us is unique (just like snowflakes), our calls an our vocations are unique. We are called and we must respond!

            The call is for us. The call is now. The call is urgent.

            So what is our response? It can be no, like the rich young man:

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. (Matthew 19:21-22)

            But when we say yes, when we become a disciple of Jesus Christ, then that response leads directly to stewardship.

 

            Stewardship is the evidence of discipleship. Stewardship is discipleship. We must apply the resources that we have been trusted with to further the kingdom of God. We must make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, so that “thy kingdom come, thy will be done. On earth as it is in heaven.”

            Hear these words of the hymn, “Jesus Calls Us” with new ears:

Jesus Calls Us

Text: Cecil Frances Alexander, 1818-1895
Music: William H. Jude

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1.      Jesus calls us o'er the tumult of our life's wild, restless sea; day by day his sweet voice soundeth, saying, "Christian, follow me!" 2. As of old the apostles heard it by the Galilean lake, turned from home and toil and kindred, leaving all for Jesus' sake. 3. Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world's golden store, from each idol that would keep us, saying, "Christian, love me more!" 4. In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease, still he calls, in cares and pleasures, "Christian, love me more than these!" 5. Jesus calls us! By thy mercies, Savior, may we hear thy call, give our hearts to thine obedience, serve and love thee best of all.   Serve and love thee best of all!!