My Profession is My Priesthood

How do I serve people in my home and through my work?

My name is Jaquelini, and I live in the city of Iguatu in the state of Ceará, in northeast Brazil. I am a historian and teach at the regional university. My culture is probably different from your culture, and maybe I’m never going to get to know your country or you mine. But something even greater unites us, namely our walk with Christ.

I am a descendant of Brazilian Indigenous peoples and Portuguese, like most people in northeast Brazil. This is the poorest part of the country.

Today, unfortunately, evangelical Christians in Brazil have a bad reputation in the population. This is because parts of the leadership are trying to influence through political power. I do the opposite, because I believe that the power of the example is much stronger than any political power. I live my whole life as a minister to God, and also, I see my profession as my priesthood.

Through higher education, God blesses young people in my city to overcome poverty, and I see myself as a conduit for that blessing. I prepare good teaching and encourage my students to believe in themselves. I serve my colleagues and the university with devotion, and I do it for God.

I live out my faith by caring about the people around me. That’s what matters. As Lutherans, we believe that through baptism we become part of God’s family. We must expand this family, spread love, serve God and people. We don’t live for ourselves.

To be a Christian is to live for others.

READ THE TEXT ABOUT JESUS AND THE RICH MAN IN MARK 10:17-31

29 Jesus answered,” Verily, I say unto you, anyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the gospel’s sake shall receive a hundred times as much again. 30 In the present day, he shall have houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields—but also persecution—and in the world to come eternal life.

PRAYER:

Dear Jesus, You who gave Your life for the world. Thank You for Jaquelini and her life. We ask for Your blessing on her and the ministry she is in. May You bless the church in northeast Brazil. Let it grow strong. Thank You for Jacquelini reminding us that we are church through our relationships and actions. Help us to be channels for Your blessing in our homes, at work, and elsewhere where we are.

We worship You. Amen.

DISCUSSION:

1. How do I serve people in my home and through my work?

2. How do I encourage others to believe in themselves and what God has created them to be?

3. How does my life draw people to Christ?

4. How do my associations, Bible community, or church become the feet and arms of Jesus?

F Ms. Anne Storstein Haug, Bangkok, Thailand