Purpose As Favor

Jean Vanier founded the first L’Arche community in Trosly-Breuil, France in 1964, in response to the dehumanizing conditions that existed in many large-scale adult care institutions. Vanier’s vision was to form a community of intellectually disabled adults living alongside their care-givers, for the mutual benefit of all.  By the time of his death, the L’Arche vision had grown into 154 communities and spread across 38 countries.

Jean Vanier, having been blessed with the opportunity to live into his purpose, offers this wisdom to the rest of us:

“We will never win the Olympics of humanity, 

Racing for perfection.

But we can walk together in hope,

Celebrating that we are loved in our brokenness:

Helping each other,

Growing in trust,

Living in thanksgiving,

Learning to forgive,

Opening up to others and welcoming them,

And striving to bring peace and hope to the world.”

RESPOND

Meditation: What phrase stands out most to you? Why?

Connection: When have you felt purposeful—using your gifts and talents to meet the world’s great need in some small way?

Other WillowingWell Devotionals