Change is never easy. Today, our parish began the process of giving our input as to who our new pastor should be. What are the qualities we’re looking for in our leader? Who do we want that person to be?
For many of us, we struggle with the idea that the man who led us over the last 17 years is leaving. More than a few feel that, if he has to go, we want them to send someone exactly like him. But, in our hearts, we know that this can’t happen. Whoever comes after our pastor and friend has to be his own person. He will come with the strengths and weakness’ that make up who he is. Would we really want him to be someone else? No.
Change is hard, but it’s part of life. Change can bring about experiences that we would never dream possible. Change can lead us to transformation. Think about caterpillars. If change and transformation weren’t a part of their lives, we would never see a beautiful butterfly. If a flower bulb didn’t change, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy beautiful flowers like the lilies above.
Would you really want to go through life as an infant? No, we grow and change and become the person God wants us to be. Change can be scary, but it can also be exciting. It might cause us to stretch and grow in ways we didn’t think we could.
I’m sad that I won’t be working alongside my friend of 16 years. But I look to the future with hope and a sense of excitement for things to come. There’s much work to be done in the vineyard of St. John. Well, not just here. Everywhere.
What changes are taking place in your life? Is what’s happening scary or exciting to you? A little of both? It’s ok. Go with it.
Maybe there needs to be some changes in your life, but you’ve been afraid to make them. Think them through, talk them over with a friend, pray about them. But don’t let fear hold you back from doing what you need to. Be at peace. Everything is in His hands.
