John Calvin is well known for his time in Geneva, Switzerland. What's not well known is that he didn't want to be there. The people of Geneva begged for him to come back after they sent him away years before. Calvin instead had wanted to retire and live a quiet scholarly life, out of the spotlight in Strasbourg, Germany. But God had predestined other plans for him.

When the Genevans pleaded with him to come back, Calvin wrote "There is no place under heaven I am more afraid of. I would rather submit to a hundred other deaths, than to that cross on which I would have to perish a thousand times every day!" Calvin had no desire to go back to the place where he was harassed by liberal Libertines, overreaching state officials, and lukewarm Christians. But eventually, Calvin recognized it as a calling from God declaring "I offer my heart, a slain victim in sacrifice for the Lord."

John Calvin was a man that chose God's will over his own. He endured suffering and persecution as well as personal loss and health problems while serving the people of Geneva. In all this, the joy of the Lord was his strength. He demonstrated what it looks like to offer his body as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). May this shirt inspire you to do the same.

• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton • Fabric weight: 4.2 oz./yd.² (142 g/m²) • Pre-shrunk fabric • Side-seamed construction • Shoulder-to-shoulder taping