School begins again today in the Winston-Dillard School District. It is also the last Monday of August...sort of an unofficial end to summer. Interestingly enough, the past few days our weather has been more like fall than summer. Today it is rainy and we might see a high temperature of 70 degrees. Brrrrrrr....
Beginnings and endings.... Like bookends our lives are filled with beginnings and endings. This summer I officiated at four weddings- and I have one more scheduled for early September. Weddings celebrate the beginning of marriage, the beginning of a new family, the beginning of a new way of life. I also minstered to a couple of families that lost loved ones this summer. Memorial services mark both an ending and a beginning. A memorial service marks the end of one life...and the beginning of a life without the family member for those who remain.
Beginnings and endings...Yesterday we were privilged to baptize three adults. Again, a beginning and an ending. Baptism celebrates the end of the old person ("Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come" [2 Corinthians 5:17, HCSB]) and the beginning of new life in Christ ("Therefore we were buried with [Christ] by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life" [Romans 6:4 HCSB]).
Beginnings and endings...This fall it looks as though we will be calling an associate pastor- at least for a few months! Again, an ending...perhaps I can let go some of the responsibility I've been carrying...and a beginning....our felowship of faith will learn how to relate to another pastoral team member other than me!
Beginnings and endings...Regardless of their context, there is always stress, anxiety, pain, and sometimes frustrations that accoompany both. I used to think that receiving God's grace meant life would be comfortable and easy. Beginnings require grace...to start something new, to face new challenges, to change habits and practices requires that we depend on God's grace. Endings require grace as well. Letting go the past, letting go of those things that make us comfortable challenge us to receive God's grace as well.
Casting Crowns sings a song titled, "The Voice of Truth." Here are some of the lyrics...
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
On to the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand
But the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win!
You'll never win!"
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I would choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
(http://www.elyrics.net/read/c/casting-crowns-lyrics/voice-of-truth-lyrics.html)
May this season of beginnings and endings fnd us listening to the "voice of truth!"
