The beginning and the end of all Christian leadership is to give your life for others… to realise that real martyrdom means a witness that starts with the willingness to cry with those who cry, laugh with those who laugh, and to make one’s own painful and joyful experiences available as sources of clarification and understanding.

– Henri Nouwen  – 

This quote really resonated with me because it reflects the care and love that I am practising at the moment. Furthermore, Nouwen raises it to an immense and profound level: The notion of Christian martyrdom in daily life. Like Nouwen, I believe in the power of HERE and NOW. In other words, it is important to be real, authentic at the present moment with those I encounter who are the images of God. To cry, to laugh, to celebrate and to suffer with others make me feel more aware of  God’s mission in life.

“You really cared for me” is a sentence that everyone would like to feel when they were lost and found again. This is my inspiration for my ministry to others. God cares for each human being individually. Caring for the person is the concern that I need to practise more and more in my life, especially in my ministry and  mission. I need to be the ‘neighbour’ for other people. I also need to express willingness to enter into a situation with the ‘neighbour’. However, the notion of Christian martyrdom also requires me to be more determined and dedicated to daily choices for “Fiat voluntas tua” – YOUR Will be done, not my will; YOUR Kingdom comes, not my kingdom comes. 

With love,

Litlle-pencil