I read the book The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne when it came out nearly 20 years ago. Shane grew up in Appalachia, went to college at Eastern University in Philadelphia, and currently lives and serves in the city. He has taken a radical approach to living out Jesus’ call for disciples to be servant leaders willing to wash their feet rather than build platforms.

Shane had correspondence with Mother Theresa before she died in 1997. In one of his letters, he shared his desire to come to Calcutta to serve with Mother Theresa to care for the poorest of the poor. In response to Shane’s letter, Mother Theresa said, “Find your own Calcutta.”

Mother Theresa’s response was not meant to be dismissive. She encouraged Shane to find an area of the world where God has placed a calling and a passion for the people there. Shane didn’t need to go to Calcutta; he needed to serve where God had him.

I love Guatemala, and our family just recently returned from that beautiful country. I’ve been there three times in the last 7 years. I am captivated by the people and their joy for Jesus despite their poverty and difficulties in life. I have learned so much from the friends I’ve made in that country. As much as I would love to move to Guatemala and serve there, Mother Theresa’s words ring in my heart: Find your own Guatemala.

Think about where you live. We may have roots there. We care for the people and the community. God has placed us in a place where we can be the hands and feet of Jesus. As followers of Jesus, we are called to wash our neighbors’ feet and serve those with needs. In each of us, God has placed a passion for this community and wants to use our passion to bring hope, love, and salvation through Jesus to others. 

How is God calling you to be the hands and feet of Jesus? Where are you living out your call to share the Good News? Let us pray to find tangible ways to serve and share love with our community.