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Words from the Board...Bulletin Board that is

I have a bulletin board hanging on my office wall; it has various things thumb tacked to it. At some point each of the things hanging there were important to me. I suppose since they are still hanging there even after making a 740 mile move cross country, they are still important. The things hanging on this board vary in shape, size, meaning, and appearance. A Chalice sun catcher, a map of the church, several cards from family and friends, a picture of my paternal grandparents in front of the "Arc de Triumph" during WWII, my father’s obituary, the preaching schedule, and a couple crosses…just to name a few.
When I am sitting at my desk, this bulletin board is on my left; every time I glance at it the same thing catches my eye. I am always drawn to the same card. I believe I received this card at my Ordination and if memory serves I received three or four of this same card that day. The card reads; “Be who you are. Do what you love. Make a difference. Change the world.”  What a statement. What a challenging and worrisome thought to catch my eye every time I glance at the board. Challenging because it calls me again and again to remember what God has called me to do.
God calls me everyday to “be who I am”- A child of God, made in God’s image.
God calls me everyday to “do what I love”- Serve others in the name of Jesus Christ, not because of the reward I receive but, because there is nothing else I can imagine myself doing.
God calls me everyday to “make a difference”- Even if I do not see the difference immediately.
God calls me everyday to “change the world”- Not by discovering the cure for cancer, or ending world hunger, or restoring peace, but by doing little things that might inspire others to do little things, which might change the world for the better.

Of all the things hanging on my bulletin board this one little card, with these four powerful statements, remind me again and again why I brave the waters of ministry…Because God calls-and I guess I am confident enough in my swimming abilities to jump in the water feet first!

Comments

  1. Maggie SebastianNovember 7, 2010 at 6:30 AM

    Really - you moved a bulletin board as is across the country??? God blesses us when people like you listen to the Spirit and follow no matter where it leads. And my friend, you are a very strong swimmer.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownNovember 7, 2010 at 8:20 AM

    I for one am glad you have no fear of the waters. It isn't easy to listen to the spirit and even harder to say "yes I hear you".

    ReplyDelete

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