On this path carry no purse, nor bag, nor sandals (Lk.10:1-20)
On this path carry no purse, nor bag, nor sandals (Lk.10:1-20)
As we approach a milestone in the life of The Christian Community, the 100th anniversary, the most important question may well be: how will it continue into the future? How can we guard the treasure that is entrusted to us? The way it usually goes in the development of a new movement, it also went in our Christian Community: due to human imperfection this movement is no longer as undamaged and untouched as it was in the beginning. For some people that is a reason to be disappointed and turn away to look for something else, something better. However, when in spite of all disappointments, you have experienced what takes place in the Act of Consecration of Man—Who it is who speaks and acts—you want nothing better than to guard this great gift and carry it out into the world, to every city and place where Christ wants to come. But how? How do we face the coming century?
One thing is certain; in the future we won’t be able to call upon results obtained in the past, or on the achievements of those who came before us. We will in a certain sense have to face the future with empty hands, without expectations, without judgments, without preconceived plans—relying only on the always present help of Him whom we serve at the altar.
To set foot on the unknown land of the Act of Consecration of Man you have to take the shoes off your feet, leave the knapsack with your achievements behind, and put down the purse with all spiritual riches. Christ looks for beggars for the spirit who live in the awareness: separated from Him I have no strength do to anything.
The best preparation for this uncertain future is to enter into each Act of Consecration like a blank page, as if it were the first time you met Him. And if that fails: as if it were the last time you met Him. You will then experience that Christ gives the most precious thing that exists on earth: Himself.
–Rev. Bastiaan Baan, Sept. 4, 2022
From the North American Seminary:
