While working as an advertising sales rep for many years, I found that, over the past year, my responsibilities for HEAL grew so as to demand a full time commitment. As a result, I just recently left my job selling advertising. Even though this involved detachment from a job I enjoyed, I am very content with my decision.
The transition has taught me something very important about work in light of God’s plan. My job in sales was rewarding in the sense that I brought sellers and buyers together through advertising. I enjoyed the process of offering something my clients needed and shaking hands with them after the contract was signed.
However, what was missing in my sales work was what I now have with HEAL, a sense of mission. Helping businesses reach their customers gave me a certain level of satisfaction, but nothing compared to what I experience with HEAL. HEAL is about saving lives and building futures in the most direct and tangible way imaginable.
I had to leave the comfort and stability of my previous job in order to fully invest in the HEAL mission. While it involved some risk and sacrifice, the reward of having a meaningful mission is well worth it. This relates to the spirituality of Jesus’ self-emptying, which is the model Leo advocates for all HEAL mission workers.
Of course, the ones who’ve really emptied themselves are Leo and the Messengers of Justice missionaries. When I visited Nigeria in March, I witnessed the love of Christ in everything they do for the poor and marginalized widows and orphans. And, also, we look to you as full-fledged collaborators in this mission.