"I am deeply convinced that the Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self. That is the way Jesus came to reveal God's love. The great message that we have to carry, as ministers of God's word and followers of Jesus, is that God loves us not because of what we do or accomplish, but because God has created and redeemed us in love and has chosen us to proclaim that love as the true source of all human life."
--Henri Nouwen
Some will carry the message in backpacks, some in homemade bread, some in the words of sermons or songs or honest conversation, some on skis, some with their long hair and body piercings and loud laughter, some with the paints and markers and beauty-making tools they drag from one bohemian place to another, some in their healing kiss, some in their recliners of frustrating old age, some in their hands which hold yours in the darkest hour. This we carry, for we are created, redeemed, and chosen.
Posted by mike at June 22, 2005 03:34 PMMike...is that from In the Name of Jesus? I just love and so appreciate the writings of Henri Nouwen!
Posted by: austina at June 22, 2005 09:40 PMI have no idea where it's from. When I was up sorting and rearranging books at 5 am this morning, an old email from May 2000 fell to the floor. I had written it to my aunt, and was apparently so impressed with my eloquence that I printed it...
Posted by: mike at June 22, 2005 11:20 PMthat's great.
Posted by: amyd at June 23, 2005 12:17 PMthis is beautiful.
Posted by: kelly at June 25, 2005 12:19 PMbeautiful post. I love Nouwen's writings. He always seems to speak truth convictingly. Thanks for sharing this.
Posted by: Christina at July 15, 2005 03:46 PM