I was in a meeting a few weeks ago, discussing the kinds of leadership qualities which will be important for church leaders to embody as we transition together in 2021. One observation shared (and I am paraphrasing) was the need for leaders who are “creative and innovative” to “help us get back to the way things were before the pandemic.” I recognized in that comment a longing that so many of us share – a deep desire for a return to normalcy. But because I recognized and resonated with that expressed desire, I also pushed back – a little. My observation was that to be “creative and innovative” was not a call to go back – but a call to move forward…
Lovett Weems defines vision as, “a glimpse of God’s preferred future.” These are the days we must pause from our craven desire to be in control, or return to normal, and ask: “Lord, what are you trying to teach us? Where are calling us to join you in your mission to save and re-purpose your world? What will we need to lay down in order to receive what you are offering us for the next leg in this journey?”
I am hearing Jesus asking me to pay more attention to the things which seem small – to lay down pre-occupations with all my responsibilities and the things I see, while often missing through preoccupation what I don’t see. In listening for his voice in prayer, in worship, in scripture, in solitude, in community and in service – I believe I am hearing new whispers from a familiar Voice, a call toward new horizons, new relationships – a call to be open and vulnerable to those whom God allows me to share life with. I believe I am hearing whispers of an invitation to be a bit more intentional about claiming with joy that my life is not just dotted with occasional experiences of God’s guiding, but that I am “on mission” with Jesus.
Henri Nouwen said it this way,
“Discipline means to prevent everything in our life from being filled up. Discipline means that somewhere we’re not occupied, and certainly not preoccupied. In the spiritual life, discipline means to create that space in which something can happen that we hadn’t planned or counted on. Discipline helps us to follow the voice of the Spirit, who wants to lead us to new places, new people, and new forms of service.”
– from A Spirituality Of Living
The question is not whether God is calling us to new places, new people and new forms of service. The question is:
Will we follow where He leads?
Still In ONE Peace,
Jon (the Methodist)
If you would like to view past editions of How Sweet the Sound, follow this link: https://sounddistrictnc.org/category/from-the-ds/