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The Hidden Life and the Mission of the Church
By Carole | July 16, 2008
Some years ago, I left a good job for the missions. One of the reasons I did so was that I was tired of the fact that nearly half my time was spent doing piddly little things that I didn’t care about: record keeping, making sure an extension cord was in the right place at the right time, filling out room-reservation forms, going to meetings about next years calendar, and doing and annual dreaded task, writing MBO’s (=management by objective=goal setting for next year). Ugh. I wanted to do great things for God.
Now that I am in mission, I spend a lot of time doing things I don’t care about. The last month has been all about making photocopies, folding paper, stuffing envelopes and sealing them, counting things, ordering toner for the copier, and recycling cartridges. It’s boring. Thanks be to God, I know the goal of doing these things, or I’d go stark raving mad: the letters are asking for funds, to pay for tents, sound systems, showers, toilets, and other things human beings need in order to be at peace when hearing about Jesus. The letters are asking for used kitchen equipment to build a kitchen to feed the hungry–in order for them to be at peace when hearing about Jesus. Today, a phone call from someone who was looking at their old steam table in the monastery kitchen, wondering what he would do with it since they had a new one. The same day, he received a letter I had sent him, asking for the donation of a steam table, among many other things needed. As the envelopes containing people’s sacrifices come in, I record them and take them to the bank. Doesn’t sound like missionary work.
I have had the privilege of orchestrating many memorable, life-changing moments for many people over the years, and I live for the adrenaline rush of those moments and the testimonies that come afterwards. I must admit that I sometimes get bored as I fold letters and seal envelopes, and daydream about the other things I might like to be doing with my time, the dragonslayings, army conquests, and mass conversions I would report on this blog. It is humbling to realize how much (most) of the Church’s mission is not in the adreneline rush moments–it happens in the little, hidden, behind-the-scenes things–someone who shows up to fold letters and seal envelopes, take phone calls, open the mail, go to the bank, and count things to make sure there will be enough for everyone. And other people who show up in a field somewhere in the middle of Ireland, to move an electricity pole that no one will ever realize was not in a safe place, unload gravel that no one will know wasn’t always there, lay pipes that no one will ever see, pour cement, dig holes, etc etc etc.
And considering the thirty years that Joseph and Mary spent in a little house in Nazareth, making meals, hanging laundry, planing wood, sweeping up sawdust, raising the Saviour of the world–I’m learning that those who live the hidden life, and do the humble tasks well, are in good company–and doing great things for God.
Topics: Uncategorized |
July 16th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Carole,
Thanks for sharing. truly inspired me and gave me hope once again. God Bless
July 17th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Seems like we are in good company, especially when we see things from the lives of Mary and Joseph.
July 17th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Tagged you again!
Please check my blog for details, Carole!