It was my first day at the seminary as staff and professor. I made my way to the dining hall, went through the serving line, and found a table of other staff, some of whom I already knew. When I sat down, I introduced myself to those whom I hadn’t yet met. We had a lively conversation for nearly an hour. Toward the end of the lunch period, one of the priests asked me about my husband. I spoke about Kenneth’s gifts and how he uses them. The inquirer asked, “So, is he retired?” I replied that he wasn’t, he worked as a food scientist for Kraft. The priest acted surprised that I hadn’t included that in my description of Kenneth. I responded by noting that Kenneth is so much more than how he earns an income.
We can get caught up in our titles. How would the world be different if instead of asking “what” do we want to be we asked “who” do we want to be. If our focus shifted from income and titles to contributions and virtues?
My daughter gave me a book for Christmas which I would highly recommend. It is a thought provoker. It is The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. At first glimpse, one might assume it is a children’s book. I assure you; it is not. One of the first exchanges between characters in the book is when the mole asks the boy what he wants to be when he grows up. The boy answers, “Kind.”
As I was reading this book the first time, I found myself pausing on that page for the longest time, thinking to myself what I want to be. What legacy do I wish to leave? Who do I hope others see in me? Who do I long to be because of the LORD’s place in my mind, my heart, my soul, my life?
As we continue this journey of faith in our all-present and all-loving LORD, buoyed by the hope of His promise, and fueled by His transformative love for us, let us spend some time contemplating who He calls us to be and how we are responding to that call. Today is the feast of the conversion of Paul. The LORD called him on the road to Damascus. It was transformative for Saul who became Paul, the man who went from persecuting others because of their belief in Jesus Christ to seeing Christ in others.
Who do we want to be?
Until tomorrow, let us all love well.
Great book! Made in to a short film on Apple TV.