What I Came Out to Do

 As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
 That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
 In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons. Mark 1:29-41

I have been reflecting on the many women who I had the great blessing to spend time with this past week. Mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers. All women who had faced tremendous challenges in their lives, who have suffered and lost, who had been set aside and who still serve with joy. Each knows the Creator's love, and knows the real presence of Christ in their lives. they walk traditional roads and serve their people, their families and their communities with joy. They know they were created to bring love and healing to their communities.

Jesus begins his ministry by calling his disciples and then ministering to their families and their communities. They want him to stay local but he knows he is called to all the people on that road. He knows the needs are great and there is so much hurt and anger that wants to interfere with healing. With joy and faith he sets out and they can't help but follow along. We are created to bring healing and love, as were the disciples. Some are called to our local tribes and communities and others are called beyond. Where ever we are called, we follow Christ, because that is what He came out to do. We can't help but follow.

Today I ask God to help me follow where ever Jesus leads, with the joy and faith of the mothers and grandmothers I encountered. May we all rise up in the morning and do what we are called to do, to love and serve, bringing healing as we follow in the footsteps of the master.