Self-watch/Planning

It was after this therefore that there grew up in his heart a great love to the Lord, and he desired to leave his land and his country, his parents and his patrimony. He requested earnestly of the Lord that he would grant him some secret country, far removed from men.

  - Anonymous, Vita Brendani (Irish, 12th century, from an earlier ms.)

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."

  - Acts 16.9

Every follower of Jesus Christ lives up to the level of his or her vision. What we see is what we get. If we don't see ourselves as particularly gifted, as having few ministry skills, and not the sort of person anyone would listen to much anyway, then we're not going to have a very expansive outreach to the people around us.

Where do we get such dumb ideas, anyway? The Scriptures don't teach that. Jesus says we are the salt of the earth, the light of the world, and the leaven of grace and truth in a sinful and needy world. Peter says we are a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, who are called to proclaim His excellencies to the world. Paul says there is a power living within us which is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we could ever ask or think!

We all know these things. We just don't believe them. At least, not for us. If we did believe these things, I mean, really believe them, we would begin to fashion a new image of ourselves; we'd see our everyday lives in quite a different light; and we'd be clamoring for the Lord to use us in the lives of others to make the Gospel and His glory known, increasingly day by day.

That's where Brendan came to in his own walk with the Lord. The language in our quote seems deliberately contrived to link Brendan's sense of call with what Patrick actually did a century before - leaving family and patrimony to head out to a wild and unknown land. Brendan was beginning to gain a vision of God's call on his life, and, from that moment forward, all his plans changed as he began to prepare for the great journeys for which he is so fondly remembered.

What vision of the Christian life motivates you? What do you see yourself being, and being able to do, for the sake of Christ and His Kingdom? Are you living a small, safe faith, that doesn't encourage you to reach out toward others with the grace of Jesus Christ? Or are you pleading with God for a large vision, a bold and expansive vision, of how He might use you to bring the Gospel to the people you meet each day?

Don't settle for a small vision! Anyone can do that! Believe God for what He can do in and through you, and not what you think you're capable of on your own. And then begin to move into that vision, changing all your plans, routines, and thinking to conform to your hopeful expectation of what God will begin to do in you.

Today at The Fellowship of Ailbe

Psychology works when it does not because of some solid principles and practices developed by its practitioners, but because it borrows on the Christian faith. At least, that's what I argue in today's ReVision.

I want to thank all of you who graciously sent gifts to our ministry at the end of the year. We do our best each day, in all our endeavors, to bring you encouragement and spiritual sustenance for your journey in the Lord. Your gifts and prayers tell us this ministry means something to you. Our "fund-raising philosophy" is the same as Paul's: minister every way you can to as many as you can, let them know your needs, and trust the Lord to provide. If He chooses to provide through you, we will rejoice in Him even more. You can contribute to our ministry by following the donate button or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 100 Lamplighter Ct., Hamilton, VA, 20158. Thanks again.

T. M. Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.