The legends of St. Patrick are that he used a shamrock to explain the Trinity and banished all snakes from Ireland.  The true story of Patrick, however, survives not in his myths but in his work. Patrick was responsible for converting the people of Ireland to Christianity.

Patrick was born in Britain in the first half of the 5th century. At the age of 16 he was taken to Ireland by pirates and sold into slavery. His faith sustained him during his six years working as a herdsman. Eventually, Patrick escaped and returned to Britain. There he had a vision of the Irish begging him to return to Ireland to spread his faith. He recorded this call to his vocation in the Confessio, his spiritual autobiography.

After studying in continental monasteries, Patrick returned to Ireland as a missionary. Despite a constant threat to his life, Patrick traveled widely, baptizing, confirming, preaching, and building churches, schools, and monasteries. Patrick succeeded in converting almost the entire population of the island.

Patrick’s story encourages us to examine what kind of influence we are having on the world around us. If one man could be largely responsible for the conversion of almost an entire island, what could we do in our little corner of the world? I believe three words explain the influence Patrick had on Ireland – he saw, he felt, he acted.

His vision and compassion for the people of Ireland compelled him to proactively involve himself in their lives. He did not merely cast a glance, he saw their need and he felt the call of God to be His partner in bringing them to faith. He did not just pity them, he rolled up his sleeves and went out among them preaching, sharing, and living his faith.

You and I can have that kind of impact in our community if we will slow down long enough to see beyond the faces in the crowd around us and compassionately perceive the needs in the lives of those with whom we come in contact every day. Then we can let our vision and compassion compel us to proactively be involved meeting needs, being a friends, lending a hand, all the while telling the good news of Jesus.

And while you’re at it . . . can you work on those snakes?