Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
THURSDAY, January 20 (Fabian)
Mark 4:21-34. Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand?
An old friend of mine struggled with the question of whether he was called to ordained ministry. His belief in God was profound, and he believed God expected much from him. What he did not know was how to fulfill this expectation. Did it mean ordination? The life of a priest frightened him.
He was attending church one day when this very lesson was read. When he heard the description of a lamp that was hidden, the lesson spoke directly to him. He believed he was guilty of hiding what God had given him, that he was not using the gifts he had been given as they were intended to be used. At that point he accepted the call to the priesthood.
We are all different and are called to different kinds of service. But each of us has been given gifts from God to use as God knows best. Some are called to be priests, others teachers, mothers, fathers, lawyers, politicians, craftspeople. Each of us must choose what to do with the lamp God has given. What we shall not do is keep it to ourselves, hide it. The lamp belongs on a lampstand to illumine our world. (2000)
PRAY for the Diocese of London (Canterbury, England)
Ps 37:1-18 * 37:19-42; Isaiah 45:5-17; Ephesians 5:15-33
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