FROM THE PASTOR—CRUISE CONTROL
Dear Corinth Friend, thank you. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, the work of your hands, the gifts and sacrifices you are making to fund the remediation. I’ve been contemplating the idea of cruise control.
When buying a car what is on your list? My list is always the same: reliability, a non-irritating seat, good vehicle track record and cruise control. When buying a car, I need cruise control for those long rides to
Wisconsin. I like cruise control. Being able to move along without having to worry about accelerating or braking. Oooh, that is so nice.
This season in my life, of struggling with my health, is the opposite of cruise control. I am not a fan. I’ve been down the rocky road of lots of prayers, some tears, exhaustion, a little shouting and slamming things around. My whole life I have loved the idea of “Easy Street.” I have yearned for a place where the living is easy.
But Jesus in John 14 says the world will give us trouble but Jesus will give us peace. My current health
challenge (which I thought would be over by now!) presses me to practice what I preach. Hold tight to God. Hang on loosely to thinking this will be a quick trip to better health.
I am impatient and resistant at best. I want to be better now. I don’t know what to do with myself when I am not working my way down a to-do list. By now you’ve heard, I’m on Spiritual Formation leave. This is a time for me to focus on rest and regaining my health while also focusing on time with God to be better formed and shaped by Jesus and the Scriptures. This is a wilderness time for me. It is a time of testing.
My body is making me take naps. I am learning a greater appreciation for natural equilibrium, easy
breathing, not being triggered by scents and mold, and having energy. I am reading Dr. Neil Nathan’s book, “Toxic: Heal Your Body.” I am trying to better understand what happened to my health and what it will take to fully recover. I am reading the book of Acts to better understand how God formed the first church using humble servants and how God wants to use the Holy Spirit to guide Corinth in bringing the Kingdom of God near to Sandston and to our hearts.
I am spending time walking (enjoy it) slowly (dislike it.) I am having to ask for help. Learning to be a
gracious receiver is the work of a lifetime. Ecclesiastes 3 says, “For everything there is a season…” This is our season, Corinth. This is our season to pull together in the midst of turbulence. This is our season to
be filled with gratitude for Pastor Steve Hassmer’s leadership. This is our season to examine how we do, what we do, and seek God’s guidance for how and what God would have us to do in the coming years as
we partner in ministry together.
I am planning to be well. The medical professionals are quizzing me: How open am I to changing my habits? Am I willing to change my diet? How open am I to exercising more? God is using this time to speak strongly to me. It is humbling. It is a privilege and an honor. This Saturday I read the book “How to Speak Chicken” by Melissa Caughey. It taught me about the power of observation, and the intricacy of God’s creation while entertaining and educating me.
This week I am reading, “Uncomfortable: The Awkward and Essential Challenge of Christian Community.”
I am meditating on Acts 7, especially verse 51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you
always resist the Holy Spirit.” How am I stiff necked? How am I unwilling to change? How am I unwilling to open myself to God’s shaping? How am I resisting the Holy Spirit?
I am grateful for Brent Williams and Kevin Wagner for taking the lead in the mold remediation tasks. Cruise control is a lovely feature on a car but God uses storms and illness, obedience and the Holy Spirit to bring powerful community to life, and to bring healing and hope. God grows faith in us when we are broken open, ailing and grieving. God sends Sophia/Wisdom in the book of Proverbs to cry out in the street, calling to us – listen carefully. Be wise. Draw near to God. There are plenty of cautions but life has ups and downs. With God driving, we are sure to not only have a good story but live a life being a blessing to others, wholly blessed. “Lead on, O King Eternal!”
Sending love and looking forward to seeing you soon.
Teresa