It was an immense privilege to attend a friend's service of ordination to ministry of word and sacrament tonight. As Tanya made her vows, her face beaming with joy, I was transported back some 17 years to that point in my journey. A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then, but still the wonder and joy of being called to love and to serve God's people is undiminished. It's a huge undertaking but one constantly resourced and underpinned by one who brings the life-giving water. Even in the desert times that afflict us all at some point in the journey, a spring can be found to bring renewal and refreshment. In every desert may we find springs of living water.
Delightful that Tanya's ordination enabled you to reflect on your own beginning of ministry so clearly! Amazing too, that you are still full of joy and wonder at being called to love and to serve.
ReplyDeleteYou, too, are a spring of living water, bringing hope to the lost, food to the hungry and love to the unlovable, in so many different ways and so many different situations, that you do not stop to think how much you quench peoples thirst during your everyday ministry.
Blessings on you and on your ministry.