I took this picture one year ago, almost to the minute. Melvin and I had flown in for a whirlwind 40 hours or so - 2 overnights, 2 dinners, 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, and a lot of conversation, interviewing, and worship with the good people of St. Mary's by the Sea. Before dinner we were exploring Pacific Grove. How might it be to live here? (Amazing)
In those brief hours we all did our best to get to know each other and to imagine whether this might be a good fit, a fruitful partnership in ministry. I felt at home in this place and with these people, but left not knowing whether they felt the same - they had other candidates to interview. It was another week or so (I know, they worked fast!) before it was clear that we were going to take this leap of faith together. And I have never doubted that I am called to be here, with these people, in this place, at this time.
But who could have foreseen what this year would bring? People say to me, "wow, I bet this isn't what you were expecting!" Well, no. But the truth is, we never really know what the future holds, even when we are making active choices to shape it. We have to make the best decisions we can, asking for God's guidance, and trust that if we are listening well we will experience the fullness of life to which God is calling us. Whatever that fullness of life looks like in any given place and time.
Holding our expectations lightly, knowing that the path we see is only partially illuminated, enables us to appreciate what is without being weighed down by comparing it to what we thought it would be. I had some idea, before I arrived, what my life and ministry would be like, but it was only a glimpse, given some shape by hope. I have been utterly delighted to see how the past year has unfolded. OK, the pandemic is not really a delight, but there is still much more good and life-giving than there is bad. I am in a beautiful place, with curious, committed, and thoughtful people, and we are all doing the best we can in a very challenging time. I'll take it.
I'm full of holy curiosity about the wonders this next year will bring. Here's to leaping in faith!
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