| Family Reunion |
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I attended a family reunion last weekend. It was on the day my Grandmother Burkholder would have turned 100. When she died two years earlier, my surviving Uncle made the suggestion we all get together just like old times. Most of us were there, and indeed, it almost felt like old times. My sister and I still marched to the beat of a different drummer (we got creative during the scavenger hunt, which surprised no one). The used doggie doo doo bag was the best. Anyway, when we were younger, and gathered as family at Grandma & Grandpa's house, we all had dreams and visions of who we would be when we got older (Grandma was always encouraging to study and work hard). Last weekend I saw how each of us has chosen to change the world. Well, as I listened to my cousin’s talk about their careers, it occurred to me why most pastors feel inferior to the rest of society. See, we know, deep down we know that nothing that happens because of our ministry happens because of us. It happens because we have allowed God to work through us. It wasn't our brilliance or superior knowledge, it was the fact that we got out of the way and let God do His work. Maybe that's why we feel inadequate.
Any training, knowledge, or skill I may learn is helpful on a theological and sociological perspective. But what God needs most from me, as a Pastor, is to become an empty vessel so that He can accomplish great things through me, not because of me. And do you want to hear something strange? Realizing this last weekend actually made me feel pretty good. Who would have guessed that the little boy who was always different from the rest would be successful in a different way as well; that he would grow up and one day surrender the credentials and the resume’ all for a chance to pick up his cross and follow Jesus.
I think that’s pretty cool.
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