EVERY BELIEVER’S CALL

Read Galatians 6:1-6

Like living stones, let yourself be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

---1 Peter 2:5

As an Upper Room intern who is blind, I have shared laughter and tears with our Braille readers. While I initially contacted them about subscriptions, together we found an unbreakable bond in Christ Jesus. These conversations reminded me that we are called to be a holy priesthood in Christ. But what does that mean?

As priest of Israel, Aaron interceded for the people--- demonstrated by the breastplate he wore: "Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart" (Exodus 28:29). Aaron carried the children of Israel upon his heart as he prayed and offered sacrifices for them.

We are called to do the same for one another, following Paul's exhortation to bear one another's burdens and Christ. In this way we fulfill that call to be priests, living stones, and spiritual houses. While talking with my fellow readers of the Braille edition of The Upper Room, it would have been too easy to say, "That's not my concern". But how could I hear their joys and sorrows without bearing their burdens with them? Such is the call to every believer in Christ. He bore on the cross the burden of humanity's sin so that we can all live abundant lives as forgiving people. We can imitate Christ by helping to bear one another's burdens.

Brooke Pernice (Tennessee)

Lord Jesus, soften our hearts to those around us, and help us to show them your love. Amen

Jesus is coming! Are you ready?