I am done with great things and big things, great institutions and big success, and I am for those tiny, invisible molecular moral forces that work from individual to individual, creeping through the crannies of the world like so many rootlets, or like the capillary oozing of water, yet which if you give them time, will rend the hardest monuments of man’s pride.
~William James
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
~ paul, The Least of The Apostles, in Galatians 3
Oh beloved, it is true.
The question of what would Jesus do, is a vital question to ask. For, in His example we can see what a Life lived – as would should live – was lived. However, if we only look at it from what Jesus DID, we will miss more than we ever thought possible.
It started with His mom, Mary, most blessed among women. Mary was a human being. She was not divine. But, she was the penultimate model of what a believer does. She answered the archangel with an astonishing reply. She said a simple yes to the Father of All Creation. But, the yes was not just some sort of: “well, ok. If that’s the way it has to be.” No, hers was a hearty amen, and a declaration that what was hers – including her own body – was His. And, it was in this moment, she became the most important female after the first Eve.
And, as she went through the months and years, her yes became a song, now sung through the ages.
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His name.
And His mercy is for those who fear Him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
He has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of His mercy,
as He spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to His offspring forever.”
~ Mary, mother of G_d
But this was just the warmup.
Jesus arrived on the scene, and His life was indeed that of the Divine. He was (and is, and will be) G_d from G_d, Light from Light, very G_d of G_d.
But don’t miss it. Jesus Lived just like His mom, only deeper.
Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all he does. Yes, and He will show Him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.
~ Jesus, King of The Universe, in Luke 1
Can we see it?
Both of these characters are two of the most influential beings ever. And yes, they indeed lived pious lives. Jesus’ life on this earth was even sinless perfection. Both did great works. Mary in the raising of the Messiah. Jesus is fulfilling His calling as the Same.
But both lived a life very different than what we would expect. The Source for their service was not their piety. No, the Source for their works was the freedom and strength they gained from knowing just how Loved and honored they were by G_d Himself.
So, are you feeling the heavy burden of service to G_d in some capacity? There is no need for this. Plus it will not work anyway. If you really do want to get to work in the Kingdom, perhaps you need to find the freedom to do it, before you begin.
Tonight is your night. Time to see your Freedom in Him!
Everybody has a vocation to some form of life-work. However, behind that call (and deeper than any call), everybody has a vocation to be a person to be fully and deeply human in Christ Jesus.
~ Brennan Manning
