The Finish Line

There's a scent of disbelief hanging in my office today.  Is it really true that I've come to the end of yet another season of ministry at Highview?  Did I really get here?

I still have the delight of our Sunday morning service (June 15) to look forward to.  And my last Sunday for this season is no less spectacular than bringing a report to the congregation of our latest trip to Hot Springs (Thailand, last March/April).

Even so, my last day in the office holds that familiar sense of crossing a finish line.

There have been many before this.  It's how I've marked the rhythms of my ministry life for the past 25 years or more, the last 8 of them as senior pastor.  And being someone who finds great significance in marking moments, I have a tradition of setting aside some time on this 'last day' for celebration of the season just past.  (Meditative reflection of these past months I'll save for when I'm at the cottage, which starts this coming Monday.)

Lots to celebrate.  This season started with it's own unique set of uncertainties.  We were two staff down; one on mat leave (expected) and another on sick leave (unexpected).  So there was a strong realization that if we were going to get to the end of it having accomplished anything, it was going to be God's deal, not ours.  Which is exactly how it panned out.

As I look back over my shoulder and see how Highview has grown in her sense of mission, and see what God did in terms of the spiritual formation of individuals and of us as a whole, I can hardly believe it.  Yes, we had to adjust, and no, we didn't check everything off 'the list'.  But still, the way people pulled together and grace-flexed and opened themselves to the work of God in their lives wasn't just amazing in itself, but allowed for astonishing and beautiful expressions of God's justice and mercy to be manifest in many different venues.

This in spite of a significant disruption when the entire basement of our church, including all our children's ministry space and my office, was wiped out for six weeks by a spring flood.  You can really see the strength of your community when not just the immediate crisis, but the tedious ongoing disruption, tests the patience and grace we want to be known for.  Highview people are truly exceptional!

Personally, despite the 'extra' responsibilities and disruption, I experienced one of the most balanced, sane seasons of pastoral service I can remember.  My own meditative times with God, my personal and academic study of His Word, and the rhythm of work, play and rest, provided me with deep nourishment and a consistent awareness of Christ's power and presence in each day.   I am rich beyond imagining.

As such, Ephesians 3:20-21 has become something of a theme text for me.

"Now unto him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine according to his power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

Yup.  His power at work within us.  Because it wasn't me, it wasn't us.

Recently I picked up Michael W. Smith's new CD "Sovereign".  I'm enjoying the spiritual food in almost every track, but one song in particular is giving voice to my sense of awe and surrender to this God beyond imagining.    I Lay Me Down  

I leave it with you in case it speaks to you as well.  And pray that your own finish line, whenever that is and however that comes to you in your own rhythms of life, will also find you satisfied and grateful and ready for the rest that restores you in the deepest of places.