Happy New Year, beloved people of God!
As we awaken to the second day of our New Year, I have been praying for you - every single one of you. I want to encourage you to be more of yourself just as you all have encouraged and affirmed me as your Pastor-servant-leader, counselor, confidant, and co-laborer in the Kingdom of God.
Siblings of Christ, what this continuing pandemic trilogy has revealed and maintained is that we are all called. Everybody has a calling, and your real job in life is to figure out what that is and get about the business of doing it. Because that is what a calling is. It lights you up and it lets you know that you are exactly where you're supposed to be, doing exactly what you're supposed to be doing.
And that is what I want for all of you and hope that you will begin 2022 by celebrating endings – for they precede new beginnings! To live from the heart, the passion of yourself. You have to make a living; I understand that. But you also have to know what sparks the light in you so that you, in your own way, can illuminate the world.
Each one of you has your own platform. Yours is wherever you are with your own reach, however small or however large that reach is. Maybe it's 1 person, maybe it's 10 people, your family, your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers. Wherever you are, that is your platform, your circle of influence. That is your opportunity to share the joys and challenges of being a child of God; this is where your power lies. In every way, in every day, you are showing people exactly who you are – a sinner saved by the most amazing grace. You let your life speak and shine for you, that others will glorify God!
I pray that you'll open your heart, mind, and spirit to Jesus so that you will feel the presence of God in all aspects of your life. Feel the voice bigger than yourself speaking to you, and all of us. Be still, truly hear where you are being called to serve in God’s kingdom. You can acknowledge your call or not. You can praise, worship, and fellowship or not. But know, the voice is always there speaking to you and waiting for you to hear it in every move, in every decision. Listen for the guidance that's greater than our human mind, but is patiently waiting for you to say yes to where God is calling you to share your gifts, talents, and tithes.
I offer a consistent and humble prayer of gratitude for the delight and the privilege of being your Pastor-servant leader. Let’s leave the church and take the light of Jesus to the world. Amen!