The sun is shining…..following rain, lots of it; rain that caused flooding and destruction to the Carolinas and Virginia, rain that caused people to have to evacuate, that caused vacations and lives to be put on hold, and lives that were lost, wind, strong wind, that came with that rain…… But today the Sun is shining! Last night I saw a full rainbow, God’s promise. Two nights ago, the sky was aflame with color. God never leaves us… in times, sunshine or darker times. God never leaves us.
The prophet Jeremiah writes, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations….. Do not say, I am only a child; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you.”
God calls. I have been discerning what God has been pushing/prodding me to listen to, to where God has called me. It is part of this journey of faith that I am on. A journey like the one the disciples were on when they walked with Jesus (Mark 8:27-29) and were asked; Who do people say I am? Who do you say I am? Peter replies, “You are the Messiah”
It is a journey like Isaiah is talking about in Isaiah 43: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you…. For I am the Lord your God.”
You see discerning, being called by God to be a pastor/teacher can put us on the journey before we might feel we are ready, to put us in transition when we would rather settle in. God looks at the whole picture of this journey, and pushes and prods until we listen. I know that some of you are disappointed, that some of you are sad, that some of you are angry, that some of you are indifferent and some of you are happy with this next step of this journey called faith. God never leaves us. God will be working right alongside you in this transition part of the journey, to hear you, to open your eyes, to help you discern.
We are connected always by faith.
Blessings always,
Pastor Mindy