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The Daily Devotional
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Leaving God for God
“I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” — Matthew 25:36
Introduction
The call to serve others is deeply woven into the fabric of Christian discipleship. Jesus reminds us that to love Him is to love and serve "the least of these." Harriet Monsell, a pioneering woman in the revival of monastic life within the Anglican tradition, embodied this calling. Her life was a testament to the balance between contemplation and action, between prayer and service.
Reflection
When Harriet Monsell was drawn into the work at Clewer, she did not set out with the intention of founding a religious order. Rather, she responded to a need—a pressing call to serve women trapped in cycles of poverty and exploitation. She left behind personal comfort and security to minister to those whom society had discarded.
Her guiding principle was simple yet profound: “I suppose the Sisters must always be ready to leave God for God.” This paradoxical statement reflects a deep spiritual truth. There are moments when we must momentarily step away from prayer to answer Christ’s call to serve Him in the broken and wounded. For Harriet and her sisters, this meant stepping into places of suffering, offering shelter, care, and the love of Christ to those in desperate need.
A modern-day illustration of this kind of sacrificial service can be found in the work of hospice chaplains or those who serve the homeless. Many of these workers dedicate themselves fully to the care of others, often missing church services, family gatherings, or personal prayer time in order to extend Christ’s mercy. Their lives, like Harriet Monsell’s, remind us that serving others can itself be an act of worship.
Application
Harriet Monsell’s legacy calls us to examine our own faith in action. Do we see Christ in the suffering around us? Are we willing to “leave God for God,” interrupting our routines to bring love and compassion to those who need it most?
Take a moment today to consider how you might serve someone in need. It may be as simple as checking in on a neighbor, volunteering at a shelter, or praying for someone who is struggling. True devotion is not confined to the walls of a church; it flourishes in the streets, in homes, and in every act of kindness done in Jesus’ name.
Conclusion
The Community of Saint John Baptist continues its mission today, a living witness to the power of faith in action. Harriet Monsell’s life reminds us that Christian service is not separate from spiritual devotion—it is an extension of it. May we, too, embrace this calling, knowing that when we serve others, we serve Christ Himself.
Prayer
Gracious and loving God, we thank You for the life and witness of Harriet Monsell. Teach us to see Your presence in the suffering and the vulnerable. Give us the courage to serve, even when it is inconvenient, and the faith to know that when we care for others, we are drawing closer to You. May we, like Mother Harriet, be faithful, fervent in prayer, and filled with love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV)© 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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