I overslept today, but I knew I couldn't skip my run because next week I will be at the United States Army Chaplain Center & School on Ft. Jackson, SC. I do not want to be away from my family nor my church family for 6 weeks, but this is part of God's call on my life. I am so blessed to have a family that loves & supports me, and a church family that supports me in this ministry with the men and women of our Ohio Army National Guard.
It may not seem ideal to share your pastor with soldiers, but I believe we are in a win-win situation. God called me to be a United Methodist pastor and a chaplain in the Army National Guard. I have many opportunities through the Army for continuing education, and being with my soldiers helps me overcome my shyness. Besides, when we run away from God's call, things tend to get messy--just ask Jonah! I tried to run from the call to be a chaplain for almost 10 years, but God made it clear that this ministry is part of His dream for me in addition to serving as your pastor. Therefore, if I were not a chaplain, I would not be fulfilling all of God's call and as I have already said--running from God tends to get messy.
I was thinking about all this as I was running at about 9 am (instead of 6:30 am as I had planned--it is much warmer at 0900 verses 0630!). I was deep in thought as I ran and I didn't pay too much attention to where I was going. Long story short, I found myself on a road I have never been on. I had a general idea where I was so I kept going and when the opportunity presented itself, I turned right. Because of my late start the sun was wearing me down a bit and there were times I was running uphill, but there were also times when there was plenty of shade, a cool breeze and the path even led downhill! Eventually, after a couple more right turns I had come full circle, I made it home.
In our life with God sometimes for whatever reason, we get going in a direction that takes us away from God & God's dream & purpose for us. When that happens, things tend to get messy, the heat can be oppressive, we may feel like we are trying to run up a very steep hill. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God says, "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways (A.K.A. repent), I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land." Thankfully, just like my run this morning, when we find ourselves "off track," God only asks that we make "right turns" to get back into His presence where there is blessing, healing, joy & peace. Sometimes it will be difficult, sometimes God will raise us up on eagle's wings, all the time we need to keep pressing on! Keep making "right turns" and experience the joy of the abundant life in Jesus Christ.
It may not seem ideal to share your pastor with soldiers, but I believe we are in a win-win situation. God called me to be a United Methodist pastor and a chaplain in the Army National Guard. I have many opportunities through the Army for continuing education, and being with my soldiers helps me overcome my shyness. Besides, when we run away from God's call, things tend to get messy--just ask Jonah! I tried to run from the call to be a chaplain for almost 10 years, but God made it clear that this ministry is part of His dream for me in addition to serving as your pastor. Therefore, if I were not a chaplain, I would not be fulfilling all of God's call and as I have already said--running from God tends to get messy.
I was thinking about all this as I was running at about 9 am (instead of 6:30 am as I had planned--it is much warmer at 0900 verses 0630!). I was deep in thought as I ran and I didn't pay too much attention to where I was going. Long story short, I found myself on a road I have never been on. I had a general idea where I was so I kept going and when the opportunity presented itself, I turned right. Because of my late start the sun was wearing me down a bit and there were times I was running uphill, but there were also times when there was plenty of shade, a cool breeze and the path even led downhill! Eventually, after a couple more right turns I had come full circle, I made it home.
In our life with God sometimes for whatever reason, we get going in a direction that takes us away from God & God's dream & purpose for us. When that happens, things tend to get messy, the heat can be oppressive, we may feel like we are trying to run up a very steep hill. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God says, "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways (A.K.A. repent), I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land." Thankfully, just like my run this morning, when we find ourselves "off track," God only asks that we make "right turns" to get back into His presence where there is blessing, healing, joy & peace. Sometimes it will be difficult, sometimes God will raise us up on eagle's wings, all the time we need to keep pressing on! Keep making "right turns" and experience the joy of the abundant life in Jesus Christ.
