Staying in the trenches

For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.  Philippians 1:21-24

St. Paul knew the compelling presence of Christ.  He also knew that he was called to be in the trenches of humanity until his last breath.

In my own simple way, I can relate!

I begin each day with prayer and meditation.  I sit at His feet and set aside all of the triviality of ordinary life.  I rest in awareness of eternal matters and rejoice that in Christ I, too, can be united with the endless and abiding love of God.

Truthfully, there are days that I would prefer to stay nestled in that sanctuary of prayer. However, there is someone or someplace out there where I am needed today.  As long as there is breath in my body, there is something for me to do that will glorify God and serve the "other".

My life isn't as dramatic as St. Paul's.  My deeds will not be chronicled in history.  I live a comparatively narrow existence when I place my path next to the journeys of so many other saints and sinners.  I would guess that is probably true for most of us.  But the trench of human suffering calls us every day, even the trenches here in our own community.

The scope of my calling is not what determines its beauty or meaning.  The joy and freedom with which I accept whatever it is that I am to do in His Name is what really matters!

I give thanks for Christ's presence, always accessible through the Holy Spirit. Rooted fast in Him, my smallest deeds are manifestations of His Love.  All that I am given begins to flow outward into the trenches of pain, sorrow, fear, despair.

Better get out there!  There's work to be done!