The last couple months have been quite the roller coaster in my life! In late April/early May, my grandmother got really ill. In May, I went back to school, kinda. I spent a week at Lindsey Wilson College for Pastoral Ministry School. About a week later, my grandmother went home to be with her savior. The next weekend was Annual Conference, where I received my license for pastoral ministry. The following weekend, my mom and I drove the nearly 2000 miles to Tampa and back, for Grandma’s funeral – which I gave the eulogy at. I came home and went camping with some of the young adults at church. That same Sunday Night was Antioch, on a Father’s Day and we had a record crowd – 23! The following week, I prepared for a church wide potluck and then my vacation. I spent a week in VA for much needed rest. The following Sunday (this past one), I was given the blessing of preaching at our church.
Needless to say, it’s felt a bit like a roller coaster since early May. In all that time though something has been stirring deep within inside of me. This stirring has kept me upright and focused. It’s kept me energized and looking forward to what each day will unveil to me. I should be absolutely exhausted! But I’m not, well maybe my body’s a little tired, but I attribute that to biking and driving way too much. My spirit though is far from tired and that is an amazing thing to me.
In April and May, it was the anticipation of Pentecost that kept me so driven. I remember driving to Preacher’s school and listening to one of my favorite authors, Phyllis Tickle, preach on the Trinity. It refreshed me, even knowing that Gramma could go home at any minute. When she did go home, I was spending time with Jeremy Riddle’s newest album and felt God’s presence just wash over me, over and over again. Driving back from an exhausting trip to Florida, my mom and I listened to the book The Shack on CD and was reminded how much Papa loved me. On vacation, I started reading 2 great books (Love is an Orientation and Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus) and both of them have stretched me and offered a greater gaze at the awesomeness of God. On the way home from vacation, my family laughed and sang old M.C. Hammer songs and then some Righteous Brothers and then 2 worship CD’s that seemed to make the whole car a holy place!
This past Sunday, after I was honored to share God’s word to our church, I stood at the door and greeted those leaving. I was encouraged and strengthened by the words of church members. There were several thank you’s but some told me that they were stretched and they wanted to evaluate their Jesus Scent – the one that they shared with those around them. It’s one thing to hear “good sermon” it’s another thing to hear “hey, I’m gonna do that”. That’s gold to us Pastor Story-teller types!
As I prepare for this Sunday – for church, Sunday school and for Antioch, I can’t help but be thankful for how He has given me what I have needed to take a really stressful time and make it such a blessing. Through loss, travel, physical exhaustion, preparing to shepherd and spending time with others, I have heard and felt the prayers of the saints. That’s cool! That’s more than cool – it’s the Spirit moving among the Bride of Christ to lift up a brother!
When people ask me why I do what I do, I always respond with a similar phrase – because I love Jesus and I love His Bride. I have given my life to serve Him and His Bride. It’s the Bride that does it for me. The love of Christ moving in her is what our world so desperately needs. It’s a gift that the world gets to see – in good and bad. It’s the Bride of Jesus that has helped me through these months. It’s been seeing brothers and sisters who have fallen in love with the groom and then love others in His way! Wow! What an amazing gift! What an amazing Savior!
Because of His love and His Bride, I’m energized! I’m filled! And I’m even more in Love with Him whose love says to me “I’m especially fond of that one.”