"The Lord said to Abram, 'Go from you country and your kindred and your father's house to the land I will show you.'" (Gen 12:1)
In what's lovingly called the "Draft" by seniors in seminary, the graduating classes are divvied up to the different regions and synods. A form is filled out by each graduate, listing their preferences for assignment--first choice, second choice, third choice. There's also a spot for one to say "open to all." It's a difficult decision to make--open to all may land you far from your home state and family support systems. It takes faith and it takes courage to write open to all. And I believe that is the optimal arrangement as far a God is concerned--God would want you to be open to all. (Yet God understands human weakness too, and works through it just the same.)
I think that God wants all of us to be "open to all." Open to all the opportunities to learn, serve, be refreshed, worship, and tell the story. Sometimes these will land us outside our comfort zone, but God doesn't send us out empty-handed. God equips us when he sends us to do his will.
Yet it's a scary proposition. One of my favorite prayers goes something like this--"O God you send us to places unknown, on paths yet to be determined..." God understands our fears and works through them in ways that are yet to be revealed.
During Lent, be open to what God is calling you to do, and be certain that God goes with you on your journey--wherever it may take you.
2 comments:
Hey Pastor, I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy reading your blog. It is uplifting and contemplative. Thanks.
one week until the draft -- we really hope to get assigned to Region 7. I am not one of those people who is "open to all" so to speak.
Was it you that I remember talking with who wanted to be in the New England Synod and got assigned to North Carolina?
I know the point you are trying to make about being open to God's call, but there are also things that would help ministry like being surrounded by family and friends. It has been four years (or so) that we have been close to family and we are looking forward to it.
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