i am a rock, i am an island
k, in her sermon that she gave at seminary this past year quoted the simon and garfunkel song where i took my title from. it seems i have been thinking a lot these past days about islands, and for that matter rocks. anna, logan, and i spent the past sunday through tuesday on mackinac island for a synod leadership retreat. if you have never been there, you must someday make the trip. in order to get out there you have to ride a ferry from either mackinaw city (weird to me that the island is spelled with a c and the city with a w) or st. ignace. there are no automobiles allowed on the island so the only way to get around is by walking, biking, or riding on the horse-drawn taxis. we did a lot of walking as well as taking a tour around the island on a carriage. logan LOVED the horses and all in all it was a great time for us to get away from the chaos of moving into our new house! yep- we did it finally- last friday we closed and that night we had a crew of about 15 people help us pack up, move, and unload. we are now going through the painful process of unpacking, but there is something different this time as we have arrived at our HOME. anna repeatedly has expressed how much she loves this home- and that is enough to make me celebrate! there is a new peace about anna- she is now able to "nest" and she begins a new job next week at a day care/preschool where logan will be going- not exactly utlizing her master's degree that put us in debt, but still something that she will enjoy!!!
so...this idea of island got me thinking. it is so easy to become an island- to lock out everyone else and become only concerned for ourselves. there is a risk in actually being land-locked if you will. we put ourselves out there, make ourselves vulnerable and risk being hurt. i have been thinking this week a lot about that as i have begun my initial calling for advent. going door to door and knocking on hundreds of houses really has excited me. but, at the same time, there are moments when the pressure seems all to real- where i really need some of these folks to listen to what i am saying, and to be part of the church, or my expectations from the synod and chicago are not met. there have been times when i have wondered- what in the hell am i doing here, serving in this call. but then, almost like god knows something about this ministry stuff- i am reminded of why i am doing this. i get no greater joy than seeing someone come alive when they tell me their journey- so many people are dying to share it, and 0nly need to be asked. i think our goal, my goal, is to bridge that water that separates these islands from others- to invite them to be part of something bigger, a place where they will be met with the cross and the love of jesus- a place where they will be accepted and loved in spite of what they feel has placed them so far out in the deep.
"i touch no one, and no one touches me..." i hope and pray that the people who will be part of advent will long to truly break down the island barriers, and begin to truly touch others.
i continue to think of my many friends spread all across the country starting their ministry, some in the midst some waiting to hear where they will serve, some waiting for votes, some making sure the seminary runs- all people who have shaped me- thank god for them, and may god continue to bless them to be blessings.
so...this idea of island got me thinking. it is so easy to become an island- to lock out everyone else and become only concerned for ourselves. there is a risk in actually being land-locked if you will. we put ourselves out there, make ourselves vulnerable and risk being hurt. i have been thinking this week a lot about that as i have begun my initial calling for advent. going door to door and knocking on hundreds of houses really has excited me. but, at the same time, there are moments when the pressure seems all to real- where i really need some of these folks to listen to what i am saying, and to be part of the church, or my expectations from the synod and chicago are not met. there have been times when i have wondered- what in the hell am i doing here, serving in this call. but then, almost like god knows something about this ministry stuff- i am reminded of why i am doing this. i get no greater joy than seeing someone come alive when they tell me their journey- so many people are dying to share it, and 0nly need to be asked. i think our goal, my goal, is to bridge that water that separates these islands from others- to invite them to be part of something bigger, a place where they will be met with the cross and the love of jesus- a place where they will be accepted and loved in spite of what they feel has placed them so far out in the deep.
"i touch no one, and no one touches me..." i hope and pray that the people who will be part of advent will long to truly break down the island barriers, and begin to truly touch others.
i continue to think of my many friends spread all across the country starting their ministry, some in the midst some waiting to hear where they will serve, some waiting for votes, some making sure the seminary runs- all people who have shaped me- thank god for them, and may god continue to bless them to be blessings.
I like the Ben Harper reference there guy. It is exciting about having the opportunity to listen to peoples stories. The most interesting thing to me is that the best ministry isn't done when I am talking (about Jesus or anything else) on a visit, but rather when someone is talking about the simple things of their life and as they try to make sense about what is happening around them--even if they are sharing things to which I don't agree.
I will be praying for you as you knock on doors in the area. I may be inspired to stop by at a few farms and introduce myself because of what you wrote. Paz
Posted by
Chad K |
9:44 PM
glad the retreat was some time for your family to spend together. congrats on finally moving into the new house - i can't wait to come see it! i may even still room with that cool kid, though i won't have to.
i have often described my ministry as being a bridge builder. connecting people to one another, connecting people to faith communities, connecting people to jesus. the most amazing part of all of these bridges is the way they seem to build themselves once i - or anyone - points their attention in the direction of someone who is searching. all it takes, most of the time, is someone to ask the question jesus asks in john chapter 1: what do you seek? (first time jc speaks in the fourth gospel)
what do you seek?
Posted by
Leland |
5:12 PM