My soul longs, even faints
For the courts of the LORD;
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home,
And the swallow a nest for herself,
Where she may lay her young –
EvenYour altars, O LORD of hosts,
My King and my God.

  - Psalm 84.2, 3

And so, tirelessly, I thank my God, Who kept me faithful on the day I was tried, so that today I might offer to Him, the Lord Christ, the sacrifice of my living soul.

  - Patrick, Confession, Irish, 5th century[1]

In this part of his Confession, Patrick is referring to his decision to go back to Ireland, having escaped after six years of slavery and returned to his home in the west of Britain. He was not an educated man, and he had no experience in the work of ministry. But Ireland beckoned, and Patrick struggled to know what to do.

In a dramatic vision, the Lord had called Patrick to return to Ireland; but his family protested, and his pastors were not keen on the notion. He “was tried” because he felt inclined to please his family and obey his pastors, rather than follow the clear calling of the Lord.

What to do?

Patrick offered up his soul – mind, heart, conscience – to the Lord, and he made preparations for the only next step that was clear to him – go to Ireland.

Like a bird on the altar, Patrick preferred to be a living sacrifice to God rather than a lifelong slave to his own comfort or the opinions and desires of men (Rom. 12.1, 2). He could not have known all that his commitment would require of him. He had only been shown the next step.

Patrick followed God to the next step, and the next, and the next, for sixty years of fruitful, revival-igniting ministry.

God calls each of us to do the same. Not necessarily to go to the “mission field” or to ignite a revival, but to yield our souls to Him for whatever next step His Kingdom-and-glory calling may require.

We can always find “good reasons” why we shouldn’t invest more of ourselves in the work of the Lord: There’s not enough time. We don’t want to seem fanatical. We’re neither educated nor trained. Our spouse or children may object, pastors aren’t encouraging, and on and on.

But none of this negates the fact that you have a Personal Mission Field, and God calls you to seek and serve Him in it, every day of your life.

Seek the Lord first thing each morning, reading and meditating in His Word, and waiting on Him in prayer. Offer your soul up to Him as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12.1, 2) for whatever next step He may show you. He will guide you into your Personal Mission Field, and His Spirit will be with you in it, to empower you for the Kingdom work He has prepared for you that day.

God is calling us to seek His Kingdom, make disciples, build His Church, do everything for His glory, and turn our world rightside-up for Jesus. Other voices – within our souls and without – try us and tempt us to excuse ourselves from obedience to the clear teaching of Scripture.

Like Patrick we must heed the revelation of God rather than any voice that may try to discourage us from serving Him.

Who knows? God may use you like He used Patrick.

But you’ll never know unless you offer Him, every single day, the sacrifice of your soul, and every next step of your life.

Psalm 84.1-4 (Holy Manna: “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship”)
Lord of hosts, how sweet Your dwelling;
How my soul longs for Your courts!
Let my soul with joy keep telling
Of Your grace forever more.
Like a bird upon the altar
Let my life to You belong.
Blest are they who never falter
As they praise Your grace with song!

Lord, here am I; send me! I want to be used for the work of Your Kingdom.

Resources for your next steps
Read about Patrick and the incredible, centuries-spanning legacy his faithfulness ignited in the book The Legacy of Patrick (click here). The Celtic Revival (ca. 430-800 AD) exploded out of the ministry of Patrick, and encourages us to learn from these great saints how God might use us in our day.

You have been sent to share the Gospel with the people in your Personal Mission Field, but first you need to make sure you know what that Good News entails. Our little booklet The Gospel of the Kingdom can help you organize your thoughts and begin following a strategy for every next witnessing opportunity to which the Lord brings you (click here).

And you can impact the culture around you as well, little by little, slowly but surely. Our book Christians on the Front Lines of the Culture Wars shows you how to think about, pray for, and take up the work of using and making culture for the glory of God (click here).

But for all this you’ll need to rely more on prayer, and our latest book The Poetry of Prayer can bring new life, depth, breadth, satisfaction, and power to your prayer life (click here).

Your gifts and prayers help make this ministry possible. Use the contribute button to share with The Fellowship of Ailbe via credit card or PayPal, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452.           

T. M. Moore, Principal
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All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.