FROM THE BEND IN THE ROAD
FROM THE BEND IN THE ROAD
“Who do you say that I am?” ~Jesus of Nazareth
In three of the Gospel Passages (Mark 8:29, Matthew 16:15 and Luke 9:20) Jesus poses this question to his disciples. We know what they say and so in the telling of the story we skip to the answer and many times we don’t pose the question as one we need to think about or answer for ourselves. Many times when we’re hearing a story we are passive listeners and don’t give ourselves the opportunity to fully engage what we are hearing. We listen but we don’t experience. “Who do you say that I am” Jesus asks the disciples. How do you experience the risen Christ and what does that call you to do?
In each of the Gospel passages, the answer to the question changes the response. As people of faith, our answer to this question changes our response as well. If we are merely hearers of the word, then we often don’t have much of a response. We come, we listen and then we go about our lives much the same way. If we respond with the understanding that God is doing miraculous things through Jesus and changing out perceptions about life, then we must respond differently.
As pastors, we must also take time to reflect and respond to the calling of Christ. Like Jesus who frequently went away to spend time with God, reflect, pray and study, pastors engage in this sabbatical time with God away from the daily routine of ministry to listen for God in the quiet stillness. Our senior Pastor is preparing for his sabbatical time beginning the July 21st. Neil will share details of his sabbatical plans in the July newsletter. As a congregation, we are also planning to take some intentional time to listen to God’s voice. This time is not a vacation but rather a spiritual discipline. Sabbatical time is committing our whole selves fully to prayer, study, rest and renewal. Will you commit yourselves to being in worship each week, to participating in prayer for Neil and each other? Will you take time to rest and be renewed? Will you give yourself to God fully and listen to where God is calling us? “Who do you say that he is?” Let’s take some time to find out…
--Christy