Lord, I Offer My Life to You

Journey of Seeking the Calling

　　I grew up in a Christian family. When I was a teenager, I suffered from an anxiety disorder, then God healed me. Afterward, I realize my limitations and that everything I have belongs to God. Therefore, I want to dedicate my life to God if that is His will.

　　I had worked as a social worker for several years. There were times when I was discussing faith with colleagues of different races and religions, I felt my theological knowledge was insufficient and thus was passionate about learning more. When I thought about the meaning of my job, I was dissatisfied with not being able to share the gospel of Christ with my clients directly. These concerns led me to seek how to serve God in other ways. Two years ago, I volunteered for a year at Taizé Community in France, an ecumenical monastic order. God answered me in various ways that year.

The Lord Does Not Disregard Anyone

　　People of different backgrounds lined up and received communion from the brothers in a prayer. We were singing “Jesus Remember Me.” The lyrics are taken from the words spoken by the person crucified with Jesus: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Lk 23:42). The Lord knows us thoroughly and accepts and loves us as we are, even as sinners, regardless of others’ acceptance. In the silence of prayer, I envisioned Jesus embracing people of all kinds with deep love. I longed for those who had not experienced this love to receive this wonderful gift.

Ripping off the “Roof”

　　The experience of Pastor George Boyle deeply moved me. In the Sunday sermon, he asked his congregation how the church smelled as it was open to the homeless for overnight stays. Initially, the answer was the smell of feet. But as Boyle probed the underlying reason, they answered that the church smelled like commitment and roses. Jesus would have done the same. Boyle also referred to Mark 2:1-12, where four people broke through the roof to bring a paralytic to Jesus for His healing. Boyle questioned what other “roofs”—barriers between the outsiders and the Lord—exist in the world.^* I thought of the marginalized and discriminated in society, such as the poor, homeless, disabled, mentally ill, and ethnic minorities. They are not accepted and often have never heard of God. Other outsiders separated by the “roof” are those who doubt their faith or haven’t had the chance to know the gospel.

Responding to the Least of These

　　I have read Matthew 25:31-46 several times—every situation there was answered correspondingly: “I was hungry and you gave me food,” “I was thirsty and you gave me drink,” etc. Each instance of seeing and being seen, responding to others and being responded to, reminds me of Jesus’ command. I could be the “least of these” brothers and sisters who need help in different situations. Serving one another is living out faith; letting go of the notion that “I don’t need others” is humbly denying oneself.

What Can I Offer to God?

　　I revisited Matthew 2:1-12 while designing Bible study questions. It was hard to imagine the magi from the east bringing gifts, following a star with such great faith to search for the king of the Jews. On another occasion, a sister asked, “What would you offer to Jesus?” I immediately thought of the song “I offer my life to you.” I am willing to respond to God’s love with my life. Even though the dedication of my life to God is not comparable to His love to us, I hope it pleases Him. May God use me as He will.

Leading People to God through Me

　　As I doubted what it meant to be called by God, the hymn “The Kingdom of God” was sung in prayer. The lyrics “Come, Lord, and open in us the gates of your kingdom” helped me understand that God leads others to Him through His followers, including me. Later, feeling troubled, I read and meditated on that day’s scripture, Matthew 9:36‒10:8, where Jesus instructs His disciples to proclaim, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” I recognized that the Lord had called me to His work.

　　These experiences echo what I have “seen” in my growth and work. I hope to serve those undervalued in society and those who have not known the Lord yet. I long to understand and experience more of the Lord and to lead people to His salvation. I am thankful that the Lord’s calling transcends geographical boundaries and human imagination, allowing me to experience Him anew through His Word, prayer, and communal living, even in a distant land. I am willing to be used by the Lord throughout my life.

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^* George Boyle, Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2011), 72-74.