A Need to Know – A Reflection

Early this morning I dropped Denise off at the Pensacola airport so she could fly to Minnesota to help my dad with his mobile phone which wasn’t working and his landline which was broken. When I say early, I really mean early! We stayed the night in Pensacola and the alarm went off at 3:45am! 😳 For those of you who truly know me, I am not a morning person in general and definitely not a middle of the night wake up to go to the airport sort of person.

Once I dropped her off I headed back to Orange Beach to get ready for our 8am and 10am worship services at Swift Presbyterian Church where I am the interim/transitional pastor. A little bit of caffeine and a breakfast energy bar helped immensely! It was a wonderful service as we explored Luke 17:11-19 and the story of the ten lepers and the Samaritan who came back to thank Jesus for healing him.

Our church is in a time of discernment as we stand on the threshold and listen for what God is calling us to be and to do. Both services were in the historic chapel where it all began over 100 years ago. It seems appropriate as we continue to come out of the COVID nightmare to go back to our roots with a sense of anticipation and hope. Just as the Samaritan returned to where his life was transformed, we are being invited to return to our roots as we explore who we are and who God has called us to be as the sweet church in the Piney Woods.

At both services I shared with the congregation the following quote from Thomas Merton: You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope. (Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander, p. 206)

Even though we may not have that exact roadmap in front of us, we do have the promise that God offers us the ability and opportunity to embrace life with courage, faith, and hope. For that gift, I am truly thankful!