by Lucas Koach
I have the most interesting cocktail conversations when asked what I do for a living. I explain I am (both) a public policy advisor for an international Christian relief and development organization and an Anglican priest and spiritual director. I often get a gracious “huh” followed by, “how does that work?” Such a reaction I think points to a tension we all wrestle with: how do we integrate our spirituality with our public life?
As we progress in spiritual maturity we learn faith is more than just what we do. But rather, who we are – at the core of our being – dramatically informs all that we do. If I’m not careful, I measure my Christian maturity merely by the number of things I am doing for God, rather than first seeking to have my heart and soul more lovingly yielded to Him (Eph. 2:8-9).
St. Therese of Lisieux (Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s name sake) is the Catholic patron saint for missions. She gained this distinction not because of the stadiums of people she preached to. She actually lived a very humble and short life as a cloistered nun in her native France. She coined what she called “the little way.” Rather than “doing a lot” for God, she focused on doing very little things for God with great love. And herein lies the critical missiological principle: our missionary enterprises are only as efficacious as pure faith, hope, and love are found at their foundation (1Cor. 13). Such a “little way” is not a means to effective ministry, it is integral to the core of mission itself. As Oswald Chambers says, “we pray for the work, but the work is prayer.”
Perhaps you have seen this principle played out. Maybe a mature pastor or mentor comes to mind. We often don’t look up to such persons by virtue of their great abilities and accomplishments. But rather, their wisdom is apparent in their concentrated life and presence. A mere thought, a piece of humble advice or simple prayer from such a person can cut right to our hearts and drive us to action far more than any erudite and germane theological treatise. It’s often faithfully doing “little things with great love” that is all the difference.
Yet how do we practically live our lives more in this manner? Before we ask others to do more (however virtuous and necessary such things may be) the real question is how are we inviting others, and indeed ourselves, to become more? Before rushing in with our critiques and suggestions, let us be drawn further ourselves in prayer and loving presence amidst such situations and circumstances.
In my work as a public policy advisor and as a Christian, there is a host of things I want leaders to do for the world’s poor. But if my sole aim is to see a Member of Congress sponsor a bill to address global hunger, then my aim is too small. Rather, my chief desire must be to see leaders fundamentally impacted by the love of Christ and their hearts broken for the things that break His heart. Now that’s a game changer! And may such work begin in me first.
Many of us are engaged in wonderful and necessary enterprises, from powerful board rooms to
our kitchen tables. As we seek to find the intersection of our spirituality and our public lives, may we walk “the little way,” and find the transforming love of Christ increasingly infused in everything we do for His greater glory.
Lucas Koach is the Senior Policy Advisor for Food for the Hungry, an International Christian Relief and Development organization working in 16 countries. As a priest Lucas has served parishes in Tampa, FL and Little Rock, AR. He is currently a non-parochial priest attending Restoration Anglican Church in his native Arlington, VA. He and his wife Chrissy live in Arlington with their two children Charlie and Liza. He can be reached at LKoach@fh.org.