A prophet visited the Cathedral recently. His first words to me were, “I am here to give you a message from God.” I politely listened to his message, but when I asked some clarifying questions, his pleasant nature changed. He told me gruffly that he was not sent to listen or discuss. He would speak, I would listen and obey, that was the deal.
Church
Listening to Jethro
God doesn’t want you to live your spiritual life in private exhaustion. Like Moses, you may tell yourself that “it all rests on me”, or that “I’m the only one who can do this”, but that is simply not true. The truth is, a reluctance to allow anyone to come along side you will, eventually, work against your spiritual vitality. It will leave you spiritually depleted and exhausted.
Responding to Rejection
Why do we give such credence to one negative comment rather than a plethora of encouraging statements? Logically we know this shouldn't be the case. We know we should rest in encouragement and love rather than in negativity. But we can’t always guard against rejecting comments, and when they come, they shake us in the deepest part of our soul.
Ministry in the Ordinary
Serving God can be boring. There I said it. This is something that all who are involved in ministry know, but rarely articulate. The boring reality of ministry seems to betray the high hopes with which we accepted our callings. After all, we began our work for God with visions of entering the work of the Spirit, of growing the church, and transforming the world. And yet as time goes on, we find that much of our walk with God is uninteresting. Ministry involves ordinary events like mowing the lawn, baking a cake, or attending yet another budget-related meeting.
Ministry and Midwifery
What was God up to before you stepped onto the scene? How did God’s hand impact your life before you were even aware of it? More importantly, who were the people whom God used to bring you to where you are today?
Divine Discomfort
Ever year, on the Thursday before Easter, the church gathers to hear the account of the Last Supper, and to re-enact the washing of the disciples’ feet. As priest of the parish, I kneel with a towel in my lap. One by one, people come forward for me to wash their feet. It’s a dramatic moment, spiritually rich, and packed with meaning. But let’s be honest, it’s also uncomfortable.
Tests and Testimonies
When we talk about tests, we often think about tests in school, or maybe a road-test. Tests are designed for us to prove ourselves, to show our knowledge, our skill, or our worth, and by doing so, earn the grade, the position, or the license we desire. Importantly, testing is rooted in binary in nature. Regardless of demerit points or a range of letter grades, testing boils down to passing or failing. You either make the grade, or you miss out. Does God test in the same manner?
Taking a Leap of Faith: Did I do it wrong?
Do leaps of faith ever go wrong? Are they always positive? Does a leap of faith ever land us in a place we would rather not be? Lately, I overheard someone describe taking a “Leap of Faith” and how the result was better than they ever could have imagined. As they described it, taking this leap lead them into untold blessings, glories, and an acceptance of their God-given purpose. I try not to be cynical, but I have found that when one’s faith experiences seem too good to be true, it probably is.
Deflating my spiritual spare tire.
Are we as attuned to the dynamics of our spiritual life as we are to the physical? Do we notice the presence of “spiritual spare tires” – the weights and burdens that sap our strength and keep us from living the life that Jesus invites us into?
Forsaking my Inner Curmudgeon
Somewhere, amid our frustrations and discouragement there is a voice that speaks words of life and healing. Even in crankiness God is present, and because God is present, God’s grace-filled utterances are both reliable and trustworthy.
Reverend Kyle Norman 