Letters from the new pastor- 2020 Vision- More Clear Now than Ever
"Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation."
2 Peter 3:14-15a NRSV
Murphy's Law, "whatever can go wrong, will," has caused many of us to think of Murphy as a jerk, but he was right. It's not that something will always go wrong in every single situation, but that in every sort of circumstance, and in everyone's life, something eventually will go wrong. It's simply a part of this life, filled with its complexity and joys and sins. This year, 2020, was touted two decades ago as the "year of the vision of God in our churches." Well, it certainly feels like Murphy's Law has taken over this year and that we're all struggling with the vision of God.
I turned 40 this year- a monumental feat (if you ask my kids) and a not too exciting rite of passage for me. Yet, I have learned much amidst all the transition and moving and newness that has accompanied this year. As of this writing, I have been your pastor for 264 days- about 3/4 of a year- and I am still working to break in and connect with this community of believers during the strangest season that we've all seen. It's difficult to welcome a new pastor like me when everything has changed- I get it- and I'm going to keep at it, because in the wise, defiant words of that overplayed Jennifer Hudson song, "You're gonna love me."
Covid19 has been cruel. It has taken lives, caused our anxieties to bubble to the surface and completely disrupted the way we've connected with each other as Christ's church.
I certainly feel this tension among us- from the pain of new widows to the anger of the middle aged dads. And this angst fuels and adds to all of the regular growing pangs that come with normal life and church development. I'm saddened each time I learn of another person that chooses to withdraw rather than lean in, but I know that is the reality. For many of us, our homes and our church family have completely been disrupted, without our permission and excitement. Many of us have prayed to God, "I'm ready for change." Well, none of us expected this.
I am hopeful, though, because I know that God is always faithful- His promises are always Yes and Amen- His hope never fails. And so it is during this season: Advent, Christmas, Pandemic, Confusion, Angst and Waiting- it is during this unprecedented time that I appeal to you to lean in to prayer and spiritual direction- now more than ever, concerning our church and the next season that God leads us into. For those of you who pray, I encourage your faithful prayers- not to convince God to do something, but to break our hearts and our will so we may more conform to lean in to what He is already doing.
Over these next several months, I urge you to make the kitchen and hallways of your homes into prayer closets. Take the everyday, regular workings of your life and intentionally submit yourself before our Lord and strive for peace. I appeal to your kindness and to the image of Christ that rests in you- don't ever withhold sharing the love of Christ, even in your disagreements with others, may the love of Christ reign supreme. I pray for your anxiety to be subjected to the peace of our Lord, and for your every day feelings and emotions to be directed in deep formation of His Spirit.
I pray these things over you, because our Lord has never ceased, regardless of what happens with Murphy, to dwell among us with his love- wandering about, seeking hospitable and welcoming hearts in which to take up residence, looking for some more real disciples in which to dwell, another manger scene in our lives- this Advent- where we-with all of our undignified mess- welcome the image of Christ to abide and reign. Could it be, that this indwelling, is the clarity of vision for which we've sought for years? Yes and Amen.
