VOICE OF TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Clare of Assisi: Following Jesus Fully
What would it look like to truly follow Jesus with everything you have?
When Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell his possessions and follow Him, it was a radical invitation to surrender. Most people struggle to imagine taking such a step.
But Clare of Assisi did exactly that.
Born into a wealthy Italian family in 1194, Clare grew up surrounded by privilege and opportunity. Yet when she heard the message of Christ through the preaching of Francis of Assisi, something stirred deeply within her heart.
She chose to leave behind wealth, status, and the expectations of her family in order to follow Jesus fully.
Clare later wrote that this decision was a beautiful exchange: trading the temporary things of this world for the eternal treasures of heaven.
Her devotion inspired other women to join her in forming a community dedicated to prayer, humility, and service to God. These women became known as the Poor Clares.
Their lives reflected a powerful truth—that true wealth is not found in possessions but in our relationship with Christ.
The apostle Paul reminds us:
“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.” (1 Timothy 6:6 NLT)
Clare’s life challenges me to examine my own priorities.
Where do I place my trust?
Am I relying on material security, or am I trusting God to provide?
Clare’s example reminds us that when we surrender everything to Christ, we discover a richness that cannot be measured by earthly standards.
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Excerpt from Voice of Truth Magazine
“Power Points: God at Work through Women Leaders Yesterday and Today” by Leecy Barnett