June 30, 2021 Weekly Update
Hi friends!
A couple weeks ago I had the privilege to spend a few nights backpacking around Kintla and Upper Kintla Lake with a dear friend from North Carolina. One joy of the trip was meeting so many neat people from all over the country. Folks were traveling from Colorado, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, and Florida. And of course – I met a pastor. Jeff is a pastor a few years older than me serving a large church in Cincinnati. As we sat around a campfire one night, he asked a question about vocation, occupation, and calling, and I thought to myself “what an odd question to ask total strangers. What’s up with this guy?” And as I answered, I said, “Well, I’ve had to reflect on calling a lot in my life because I am a pastor.” He laughed and said, “Well, in the interest of full disclosure, I’m a pastor, too!”
I learned about Jeff’s recent journey through grief and loss with the death of his teenage daughter. I listened as he shared about his hopes for hearing from God while in Montana so that he could pursue God’s vision for the future of his Ohio church. I shared about my own journey in ministry, and moments of grief and loss, too. We had some holy moments.
We when take time to listen and share with others, God reveals, heals, and blesses us. Carve out some sacred time this summer with family, friends, and strangers. Those holy moments fill us with the Spirit’s love and grace.
Blessings,
Pastor Jared