Ordinary Time 
Pause
On the Discovery Channel show Dirty Jobs, host Mike Rowe took on some of the most challenging jobs that vary from absolutely disgusting to humanly impossible. While we watch, we wonder, how can a person do that task day after day? We acknowledge that someone has to do it – please, just not me!
This may be the very response God hears when a mere mortal gets the call to be a prophet. Yes – someone needs to go forth and proclaim What the Lord says … God’s call is clear, commanding, and convincing. It’s a Dirty Job with little to no reward – sometimes resulting in death. Episode “The Prophet’s Call” can be seen this week on d365.org.
Listen
He called for the Twelve and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a walking stick — no bread, no bags, and no money in their belts. He told them to wear sandals but not to put on two shirts. He said, “Whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave that place. If a place doesn’t welcome you or listen to you, as you leave, shake the dust off your feet as a witness against them.”
Mark 6:7-11
Think
My son’s backpack that he carries every day weighs over 15 pounds. He is never without his cell phone or wallet. He also takes his lunch, golf clubs, a guitar, and at least 2-3 changes of clothes with him each day. Even with all that stuff he still calls or texts me once a week to bring him something he needs. Does this sound familiar? It’s not just a teen thing – my purse weighs almost as much as his back pack. We are not hoarders; these are things we need and cannot live without. (Or so we tell ourselves.)
Jesus sends his disciples out in pairs with specific instructions on what they can and cannot take. It’s not much. The disciples must trust Jesus for everything, and the people cannot claim otherwise. The power of God’s message is in the words and deeds themselves and not in things.
Are there things you think you have to have in order to follow Christ’s call? Christ is all you need. Can you live that way today?
Natalie Nicholas Adams
Pray
You are worthy of my trust and faith, O God. Please remove what clutters and keeps me from trusting you completely in my life today. Through Christ I pray, amen.
Go
We are people of habits and routines. Our comfort zones include safe places, kind people, good food, and ready-made excuses. And in our comfort zones we often find our rhythms of grace.
But … what if today God is calling you to a new place, a new face, or a never tried skill?! There may never be a thank you or any applause, but God will supply all you need to do what is being asked of you.
As you go, remember that God does not call the prepared – God prepares the called.
