My wife and I have seen every episode of Call the Midwife. It's one of our favorite shows. The midwives of Nonnatus House have ministered to people in meaningful, Christ-like ways. Over fourteen seasons, there are several scenes that have really resonated with me. In this most recent season, an older nun asks a new postulant what God asked her to surrender in order to take on this new life. The younger devotee answers confidently, "Everything."
Of course, that is the right answer. But the older, wiser nun gently replies, "'Everything' is merely a word." She knows "everything" sounds noble and true. But it can also be a generality too broad to shape a faithful life. She follows up by asking, "What did your everything consist of?"
I've been thinking of the best way to answer that question since I first heard it. Everything's too easy an answer. And it may not be an honest one. How many of us live surrounded by junk drawers, storage buildings, garages and full closets of everything? We often hold on to more than we let go.
Everything is a good Sunday School answer. That's where we begin. But our faith and calling do not stop there. Part of our walk with Jesus is naming what God is actually asking us to leave behind. If we never identify everything, we won't actually leave anything. We'll become more attached to everything. Everything and more.
If we don't consider what our everything is, we'll keep collecting what doesn't connect us to God's love.
My encouragement to you today is to take some time to reflect on that question: "What did your everything consist of?" Be honest about what you haven't left. Write down three things that might be keeping you from fully following Jesus. Think of habits, attachments, or fears. Pray over each one, and ask the Lord for the courage to make room for something better from God.
Stay blessed...john | 
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