Last weekend, I was in Six Flags with a group of kids, many of whom were roller coaster rookies. It heightened my awareness of the roller coaster process. One of the most brutal, and exciting, stages is that first climb. The slow methodical ” chink-chink-chink” of the machinery drags you to the top, to a punctuated moment of anticipation before the eral ride begins.
Yeah, that just about describes where I’m at today. It’s a fuzzy, vague thing to be transitioning in ministry. I’ve certainly felt busy, even with those odd moments when I had no idea what to do next. Tomorrow, though, marks one of the few really concrete aspects of my new life. Tomorrow I’ll begin preaching, something I’ve been preparing for over the past couple of weeks, if not years. And while I know my roller here isn’t all about what happens in the pulpit, it still feels like kinds of a big deal. Maybe it shouldn’t, but it does.
The other side of that anticipation, is that I really am looking forward to worshipping with the church tomorrow. I’m getting such a different look at worship now, and being involved with the planning really helps me look forward to what’s going to happen on Sunday, and is helping me build some personal anticipation of worship with God’s people.
I feel like I’m near the top of the hill. Below me, I hear a final clink, raise my hands, and off we go.
Scream if you want.
What a ride it is going to be! We are so happy you are with us; your first lesson this morning, as anticipated, was so good, and so very relevant; and we are truly thankful that God has blessed us with you and Kelly and the girls. For those who so love you and miss you at Pleasant Valley, we will do our best to fill the gap. We, with you, are trusting God as He leads us in this next phase of our spiritual growth together.
Thanks! I’m glad the sermon was helpful to you! Our family has already been so blessed by this transition!