My renewal leave started just over a week ago now. I’ve been away one Sunday – and just now feel like I’ve been able to truly step away. With Rev. Cross’s passing, and the initial bumps that occur when the pastor is away, I was still feeling the tugs and angst of not being physically present. There wasn’t anything I could do – just felt the need to be there for my own grief and my own leadership style.
It is a very interesting feeling of waking up and not stressing over my church email, texts from church folks or feeling the urge to get to the office so that I can calm any storm that arose over night. (I have to laugh, one of my favorite passages and the inspiration behind this blog title, in the Bible is Jesus calming the storm, and him asking his disciples – don’t you have any faith!) That feeling has been replaced today and this past week, with some work, by “who am I going to see today?”
Last week, I was able to see my people in Michigan – mom and dad, brother and his kids. I was there for a family wedding that instead was a family night at home with good food, lots of laughs and butt jokes. Mom and I spent our usual time in the car together running errands. Dad and I cooked, drank wine, and compared our cars to one another. (My puddle lights are cooler!)
Coming home to Wisconsin, I headed north for a get away with some more of my people. We got to a Packers game, and then ventured to Door County Wisconsin for a few days of play. We ate amazing food, had colorful views, and watched God at work in the water.
All in all, it was a week of love, family and faith. It was a week to check out from the business of church life and check back into the journey of faith that we are all on. I am reminded of the word authentic. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV) says, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
When one spends time with “your people,” I imagine that you would describe the time as: sacred, holy, and peaceful. These are the people who love you for who you are, not who you are expected to be. These are your family, both by blood and chosen, that love you and challenge you to be your authentic self. These are the people who see you at your weakest and are there for your strength through the gift of grace.
Just prior to this passage from 2 Corinthians 12, Paul is telling a story of an unusual spiritual experience he had. It is clear from Paul’s words that experience was something that forced him to be vulnerable or authentic. He couldn’t hide his pain, his hurt from the people. As we read all of this chapter, it is clear that he is weak.
In response to this feeling of uncertainty, he prays. The reply he received: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” In our world, weakness is a theme that we work to avoid. Weakness shows lack of character, respect, and work ethic. Scripture tells us something completely different. The theme of weakness runs throughout all of the Gospels. It is in the apparent weakness of humanity that Jesus hung on the cross and ultimately gave death a kick in the pants. In Paul’s apparent weaknesses, he proclaims the life saving messages of grace.
Entering into renewal time, well, even just naming that I needed this, is a weak moment by the world’s standards. I must remember that we don’t live by the world’s standards as followers of Jesus Christ. The standards of faith involve rest, vulnerability, and hard work. I am so thankful for my people who are holding me accountable and allowing me to rest. I am so thankful for my people who are reminding me that it is ok to be vulnerable, authentic and even weak for it is with Jesus that we find strength.
Facing the Storm with Faith 