In the past, I have often been commended for being a liturgist - proclaiming the first Scripture. I do take pride in my clear, enunciating, even somewhat dramatic readings of the first Scripture reading. I feel that Scripture deserves this type of reading - a reading that is comprehensible and relevant to today's audience, not dry, overly-familiar, easy to be ignored. At my current church, the liturgist even has the responsibility of praying the Prayer of Illumination and for the offering/tithes. These are responsibilities that I take seriously.
It is a time, I feel, to really proclaim the good news. What comes natural to me - that is, selecting the best translation of a passage and culling prayers from the Revised Common Lectionary and other sources - is one of my spiritual gifts.
And so, yesterday, my mother-in-law, the Director of Christian Education at my church, turns to my wife during the service, and offers her opinion that I should go to seminary. Not that this hadn't ever occurred to me. Quite the opposite, actually. Deep within my soul, I have longed to live in service of the church in some fashion. I never thought to actually pursue such a passion, though, due certain fears of inadequacy and economic feasibility. However, when my wife turned to me later on the drive to lunch, and mentioned that she wanted me to pursue a seminary education, those fears no longer matter because I knew that I have the support of my family.
And thus begins a new stage of my journey. I cannot exactly say that the future is definite. It never is. What is important is the trust involved. Silently but surely the Lord does answer prayers. I have no idea what lies ahead from this point going forward, but this small act helps me to keep focused on the fire by night, cloud by day.
No comments:
Post a Comment