This time last year I was on my eleven week sabbatical, spending time traveling, resting, and doing things that I don't usually have time to do when I am in full time pastor mode. It is August and I am finally taking a week of vacation in the beautiful town of Taos, New Mexico. After the brown of the desert in Albuquerque, the green of Taos is healing and renewing. The mountains are beautiful and last night there was a beautiful silver moon hanging in the sky, welcoming me to this great area.
The Summer Olympics are in full swing and though I am not much of a sports fan, I do enjoy watching some of the Olympics. The personal stories of athletes who have overcome adversity are always a welcome insight to just how hard people have to train to get to the Olympic games.
When I was younger I enjoyed swimming and even performed with a synchorized swimming group for a few years. The rhythm of the movement in the water, staying in sync with a group of people, amazing the crowd with our agility and beauty was enjoyable as we performed at various venues. At one time I wanted to be a professional dancer, back when television variety shows were a big hit and there was a need for professional dancers! How I made it from professional dancing to being a pastor is anybody's guess, though I guess God had plans for me and knew that somehow, someday, I would realize what my calling really was in life!
When I look at it, being a pastor is a lot like dancing. We do different moves and steps depending on the people and the season. Things are always different from day to day as you never know what need might arise from the people God has called you to lead. In dancing you usually have a lead partner or a person who the rest of the group focuses on for the dance steps. Being a pastor is like leading a dance as you move people through the various steps of life to which we all face.
I hope that when it is all said and done that people will say about me that maybe I wasn't the best dancer, but that I was a good pastor. That I showed how much I love the people within the congregation and community to which I am called. That I made a difference in at least a few lives. That I was a reflection of God's love and passionate about social justice and equality.
The town of Taos calls me and I am headed out to eat at one of my favorite restaurants. Perhaps the moon will gift me with its silver beauty again tonite. Perhaps I will be bold enough to dance with God in the moonlight as I give thanks for the life I have been given and to what I have been called to do and be in my small part of the world.
How is it with you and your soul? Are you dancing with God to the life to which you have been called? Share your stories with me!
Blessings and peace to all.
No comments:
Post a Comment