Called and Sent

What follows is a piece written by John Fischer, an author associated with author Rick Warren and his "Purpose Driven Life" book, ministry, and website. I re-posted the whole article below because I sometimes struggle with this. I think everyone, myself included, wonders if they really matter, if what they do for a living and who they are as a person count for anything, if it has any impact on others. As this article demonstrates, the answer to those questions is definitely yes. I believe that God has a plan for us, and that we are where we are doing what we are doing for a reason(s), even if we don't understand them.

The issue of respect for my clients as people and human beings pops up as a struggle on occasion (note that here I speak of respect in the Christian/Biblical sense, not the worldly sense, wherein respect must be earned over time through actions). As a criminal defense lawyer, I can not, would not, and do not allow my personal feelings or judgment about a case or a situation impact my ability or willingness to represent my clients as best I can. Sometimes, however, it is very hard to look past the crime committed and the situation at hand, especially when the client tells you they have (more or less) done precisely what they are charged with. It gets harder to see the defendant as someone worthy of respect, etc. the worse the crime (child rape, murder, aggravated assault, etc.). My personal feelings and ability (or lack of same) to cope with such things in this job may mean I don't make a career of this kind of work, but my faith compels me to show them respect as God does to me regardless.

Finally, as this piece and someone dear to me both reminded me, our walk as exemplified by our everyday life must have as its ultimate goal emulating God and his ways. I'm not perfect, I mess up, focus my mind on things I shouldn't, etc., and for those things, I don't make excuses...rather, I take responsibility for them and try to fix them. But on the whole, if people can't look at the big picture of my life and see God, and that I care about my witness, then changes are required. As Mr. Fischer points out, this everyday walk is an important mission, and I'm honored to be chosen for it.

"Called and Sent"
by John Fischer

"You are where you are for a reason. Your vocation, your neighbors, your community, and your many associations are a world you inhabit to which you were sent. Every one of us has a sphere of influence that touches many lives and that involvement makes our relationships eternally significant.

If you ever heard about God sending people to the mission field and assumed that if you didn't go you are somehow without a mission, this is simply not true. There is absolutely no difference between you and me and a missionary heading out to some dark corner of the world. We are all sent. (Besides, dark corners are everywhere.)

Wherever you go you represent Christ because you know him, and your mission is to introduce him to people who haven't met him yet. The opportunity to do this is generated by respect. As we walk through our communities and workplaces, we can generate an interest in Christ by extending the same respect for others that Christ has extended to us. We do this regardless of whether we like someone or not, or whether they have been mean or unfair to us. Respect is something every human being deserves, regardless, because everyone is made in the image of God and as such reflects something of the Creator's likeness. Peter wrote to us about always being ready to explain our hope, but to do it "with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:16 NIV)

And if it is hard to respect someone, remember Christ initiated a relationship with us while we were dead set against him and still in our sin (Romans 5:6-8). None of us started off this relationship very well, in other words, and yet someone reached out to us through Christ's love; we can do the same. And we do this – each of us – in the context of the particular cluster of people we know and operate in. No one else has your exact circle of influence. That is an influence all your own – like your own entire mission field.

So never think lightly, or negatively, of your position or your place in life. We've all been called and we've all been placed right where we are for a reason, and the people around us are that reason. May God open our eyes to the importance of our place in the world and the importance and great value of everyone we encounter today."