Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
(Matthew 10.39 NRSV)
Valerie Place isn't a name you will recognize. According to worldly standards she is a nobody. A few years ago, though, twenty-three-year-old Valerie Place went to Somalia to work as a nurse. She wanted to help people who had nothing. She wanted to offer them a better way of life. Valerie was concerned about her safety, but nothing would stop her from doing her work.

She was in charge of a feeding center in Mogadishu. Through her life-saving efforts, children who had been near starvation were fed. Valerie even established a school so the children could learn and have some hope for the future. Valerie was fortunate to see some of the fruits of her labors. Valerie made the national news. She was killed by armed bandits outside the school she had started. Valerie was willing to risk her life to help other people. Jesus tells us that in losing her life she actually found it.

She was no generic Christian but a disciple. How about you? In which category would you place yourself? Jesus calls us to follow him. Discipleship always costs, but the price is worth it. "Those who want to save their life will lose it and those who lose their life for [Christ's] sake with find it."

Dear Jesus, may I lose myself in order to fully serve you. Amen.

Ron Newhouse

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