Presby-Musings

I was the last person I would have picked to serve on a Christian Education committee, but someone in the very first church I got involved in twenty-five years ago nominated me, and so I served.  I was the last person I would have picked to become a youth director, but over the course of ten years, two different churches hired me to serve in that capacity.  I was the last person on the face of God's green earth who would have ever said that I would become a pastor, but I've been one for nearly twenty years for three different churches.   The reason I felt so unworthy to do any of these things was because I was hearing voices.  We all have voices in our head that speak to us, and tell us that we're not worthy to do any of the things that God calls us to do.   Mostly, these voices remind us of all the things we did in the past to become so unworthy. The bring up our mistakes, our foibles, the poor decisions and tragic errors that we've committed.   ...

Author Seth Godin has written extensively about the joy of doing good work.  He recalled a time when he was on vacation, and had spent a wonderful day at a resort in Jamaica with his family.    That evening after everyone had settled down for the night, he went to the hotel lobby where there was a computer hooked up to internet.  He settled in and was happily answering emails and doing a bit of work.  A couple walked by then and he heard the man say, "Look at that poor guy, working on his vacation."   Godin remembers thinking, "Poor guy?"  He enjoyed his work, and was happy to be doing it.  He thought about how he'd spent a wonderful day relaxing and decompressing, spending time with his family, and how much joy it brought him.   He also thought about how much joy he got from working, and considered himself blessed that both aspects of his life were joyful and life-giving.   I like to work.  I'm one of those people who wi...