The Voice That Calls Us Away

"The goddess Venus loved Adonis, a mortal.

Beautiful Venus loved the beautiful Adonis.

She often pleaded with him:

“O Adonis! Be content to be crowned with flowers beside the fresh fountains,

to feed upon honey and nectar,

and to be lulled to sleep by the warbling of birds.

Do not expose your life by hunting the tawny lion, the tusky boar, or any savage beast.

Take care of that life which is so dear to Venus!”

We all have a voice calling us away from our duty—tempting us to exchange sacrifice for comfort,

danger for ease,

and holy vision for earthly pleasure.

There will always be a voice saying,

Stay here. Be comfortable. Protect yourself.

Do not venture into the places where the battle is fierce.

But in a world where savage beasts roam every city and lane, where souls are wounded and wandering,

will I not answer Christ’s call to kingdom work?

Venus called Adonis away from the beasts because she loved his life.

Christ calls us toward the beasts because He loves the souls who are in their path.

The question is not whether there is danger.

The question is whose voice we will obey.

For there is a love that says, “Protect your life.”

And there is a greater love that says,

“Lay down your life.” Anna Laetitia Barbauld. 

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

— Matthew 16:24