Thursday, December 7, 2017

he sold himself into slavery


St Palladius of Galatia tells us an incredible story today in A Year with the Church Fathers. He says that an ascetic Christian once sold himself into slavery to some actors so that he could share his faith with them. He ate only bread and water, and talked to them about the faith day and night until they became Christians and left the stage.

They wanted him to become their teacher, but once they'd freed him from his slavery, he said he needed to leave to go help other people become Christians. That's quite a story.

And maybe God wants us to do something that dramatic? It's possible. But when He calls us to do huge things like that, He usually gives us the desire to do it, too. There is a little Jonah in all of us, I'm afraid, and sometimes we want to run in the opposite direction when God calls us to do something.

But usually He puts the desire in our hearts. Psalm 37:4 means both things, remember. That He will give you what your heart desires. But it also means He'll give you the desires themselves. If you delight yourself in Him, He will help you desire good things.

God, please help us to do great things in people's lives, so they can know You better.

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