Gifts and humility

Mark 6: 7 - 13

...take nothing for the journey except....

This passage was the reading two days ago yet it remains on my mind, and I decided not to 'move' on to the subsequent readings. What struck me most was the call to "take nothing for the journey except the bare minimal". Generally, the first thing one might focus on in this passage is the wonderful gifts - of spiritual authority, of ability for ministry granted by the Lord to his disciples. Wouldn't that be useful for us too? Of course not to self promote, but perhaps just to serve a bit more efficiently.

But our Lord's focus seems to be different. He gives gifts but also asks his followers to be careful of their disposition of heart in using the gifts. He tells them to 'travel light' with little or no provision. He asks that they remain humble - by, in this instance, embracing material poverty and depending on his provision each step of the way. I must say i would prefer to have what I need at hand, to feel 'secure'. Yet He asks of us the opposite - to remain utterly dependent upon Him and not on ourselves. He wants to work through us - and it seems that would be most effective, the more we let go the controls and lean on Him. His gifts and authority are best entrusted to those with the inner disposition of humble trust.

"Free us, O Lord from all hindrances and (inordinate) attachments that we may joyfully be Your channels of grace"