Jonathan Martin, in his book How to Survive a Shipwreck, writes about the work of the Spirit, “The trademark of the Spirit is to first bewilder, not clarify. The fog that comes doesn’t always obscure the Spirit—sometimes it is the Spirit. To welcome Pentecost is to open ourselves to the possibility that God may be working in that which at first only ap pears to be confusion.”
I wrote “Yes,” and “Preach” in the space next to this quote. Sometimes the most valuable lessons I learn in life come in the midst of having no clue what do next.
I just finished participating in a book club telephone conversation with four of my best friends in ministry. We read Martin’s book together. All five of us have stories, multiple stories even, of times we have been lost in the fog of not knowing, of confusion, of fear. One of them said, I’m paraphrasing, “Sometimes you’ve got to be flat on your back feeling absolutely defeated before you are ready for God to help you see what is next in your life, or your ministry or your church.”
There is great truth in those words. During the last few weeks I’ve had a few dozen conversations with people who are struggling in life. You name the issue or the setting and I am almost certain there is someone in our congregation fac ing a serious fight with whatever it is.
In the phone conversation one of the pastors said (and again I’m paraphrasing), “I’m not where I dreamed I’d be as a minister. My church is struggling. Our finances are tight. But I realized not too long ago that right now I am where Jesus wants me to be.” There was emotion in his voice as he shared. In response I told him, “I’ve been listening to your sermons online for a few months. Your preach- ing is some of the best I hear anywhere, anytime. You’ve blessed my life and inspired my ministry.” There were some amens on the other end of the line.
Preachers and pastors are not immune to shipwrecked lives. Neither are you. Martin writes, “…the shipwreck is a sacred invitation to come and experience the world as God does, with heartbreak and tears, to be sure—and yet with per fect love that casts out all fear.”
If you are carrying something heavy right now know that you are not alone, that the very God of the universe is ready to stand with you in the name of love. That is enough. In the long run, it is all we need.
Grace and Peace to you,
Glen
