Answering the Call

We speak a great deal about "the call" in our churches. Congregational leaders -- council and committee members, leaders of youth programs, Sunday school teachers, visitors to the shut-in or hospitalized, pastors, bishops -- have all in one way or another heard "the call."

The call for each of us began in baptism. As the mark of the cross was emblazoned on our forehead, a candle was lit and "the call" from Jesus was spoken: "Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."

There is a wonderful story of a child who attended a worship service in a large cathedral with his mother for the first time. As they sat in the pew, the stained-glass windows of the saints of old shone brillantly. The child turned to his mother and asked, "Who are those people in the windows?" The mother replied, "Those are saints. Do you know what a saint is?" The child paused for a moment, deep in thought, and then said, "Saints must be people who let the light shine through."

As a leader, you are called to "let your light so shine," not so that your skills and gifts are evident, but so that others can see evidence of the greater Light -- Jesus, the Light of the world -- through you. You are called to be a stained-glass window whose brillance is seen only as the light shines through it.

And as a leader, you are also called to help the light shine more brightly in others. You are called to "equip the saints" to be bright reflections of the one true Light. As you mentor others, as you teach and learn, as you pray for others, as you help others recognize and claim their gifts, you are answering "the call" to yourself AND the call to others.

"You shall be my witnesses." "LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!"


Written by John McCullough Bade