One True Call . . . And A Diamond Ring
On Sunday I was privileged to be back preaching at my former parish, Trinity Church in Solebury, PA. The gospel for the day was the story of “The Rich Young Ruler” who comes to Jesus seeking eternal life. You know this one. Jesus says, Go sell all your possessions, give the money to the poor, and then come follow me. The man walks away.
We always hear this as the story of a wealthy man who couldn’t part with his possessions, but really it’s just one more “call” narrative. We know all those stories of Jesus, walking along the Galilean shore, calling his disciples, and they just walk away from their nets and their boats, the only assets they have to make a living. It’s crazy. But they do it because they are so completely enthralled with the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And when you hear that kind of rousing call, you just forget to worry about your money, your things.
Which is exactly what the rich young man can’t do—he’s incapable of hearing that shining summons. He has no spiritual libido. Kneeling a breath away from the Lord of Life—and he doesn’t feel anything. All he can think of are his antique rugs.
The moral of the story is pretty simple. Don’t pray to be delivered from your materialism. Pray for one true call.
It was the summer of 1977, and I was home from college. I was painting houses to make a little extra money for college, but the big thing I was working for was a diamond ring. When I went back for my senior year in September, I was going to ask a woman to marry me, and I wanted the best ring I could get.
So I studied the three C’s of diamonds—Carat, Cut and Clarity—and I found a jeweler in Sioux City, Iowa who would spread diamonds on black velvet, pick them up with tweezers, and show me how to look for the fire inside. At last I found the one stone that would make the perfect solitaire, but the cost was crazy, and I didn’t care.
I needed thousands of dollars, so I took extra painting jobs and worked into the night. In late August I took all my money, went to the jewelry store and, without the slightest thought, laid it on the counter. Not because I wanted that diamond so much as I wanted Pam, and this was the only way to answer that call.
I mean if Pam doesn’t cook you one of her special meals tonight, I don’t know what else you can do! That was beautiful!
Ha! I will tell Pam—we’re actually having two of our neighbors over for dinner tonight, so (as usual) I will eat well tonight.
Pam would undoubtedly have said “yes” without the ring, but U gave everything U had to show how much u loved her. I think it is the same with God & his people. He doesn’t really expect us to go sell our homes,cars, clothes etc. He wants our whole hearts. He wants our lives to be dedicated to him & by doing so we realize that in this life what matters is the love we have for God & each other🙏❤️
I enjoyed your sermon on Sunday. I had never looked at the gospel of the Rich Young Man that way before, that is, as a “Call”. It makes so much more sense, and I can see it more clearly as a Call to something as opposed to a call from. Previously, it always felt like the young man, in his richness couldn’t let go of, couldn’t imagine living without, instead of focusing on what he was being called to. When one’s soul sincerely experiences, or responses to the Call, there is no question which way to go, it’s like spirit touching spirit, and one simply follows Spirit. He unfortunately didn’t have the experience of the Call. He was, perhaps, unaware. Still feel sad for him.
Love this. Working that hard – so inspiring! You definitely had the call – lucky for you and for Pam!
“It’s like spirit touching spirit, and one simply follows Spirit.” Amen and Yes.
Love the story about you working hard to get the BEST ring for Pam. Well worth the effort, you both answered the calls.
Yes, Pam did answer the call—because of course it has to be One call that joins two into One.