Wait patiently for the Lord

The path is winding on;
Last year on Palm Sunday, I ran the London marathon (Easter was later last year and I've not been running for seven weeks now due to a knee injury, but instead have been praying and reflecting on vocation).

So this year on Palm Sunday, I sent my ordination registration form to the DDO.

There will now be a few weeks before we can meet, which follow the few weeks while the form was checked by two very important, and busy, people.

In many ways, there is a direct comparison to running the marathon. Most of all because patience and perserverence are important in both and perhaps they are also part of God's discernment process. At times I feel doubt, sometimes because the time these things take mean that I have more time to think and reflect not just on the calling but also, perhaps because I am a natural worrier, I become concerned that I'm mis-interpreting the call. I don't pray about that specifically though, simply that in the knowledge that he has a plan for me, God may guide me on the right path to live out that plan, according to his will.

One of my favourite psalms is part of today's morning prayer and I think it's quite appropriate, I especially love the last verse;

Psalm 27


1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not be afraid, and though there rise up war against me, yet will I put my trust in him.
4 One thing have I asked of the Lord and that alone I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
5 To behold the fair beauty of the Lord and to seek his will in his temple.
6 For in the day of trouble he shall hide me in his shelter; in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me and set me high upon a rock.
7 And now shall he lift up my head above my enemies round about me;
8 Therefore will I offer in his dwelling an oblation with great gladness; I will sing and make music to the Lord. 
9 Hear my voice, O Lord, when I call; have mercy upon me and answer me.
10 My heart tells of your word, ‘Seek my face.’ Your face, Lord, will I seek.
11 Hide not your face from me, nor cast your servant away in displeasure.
12 You have been my helper; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
13 Though my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up.
14 Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me on a level path, because of those who lie in wait for me.
15 Deliver me not into the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen up against me, and those who breathe out violence.
16 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
17 Wait for the Lord; be strong and he shall comfort your heart; wait patiently for the Lord.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lessons in humility

Christians are called to be humble, it’s part of what bring us closer to being Christ like or ‘in Christ’. In our modern world though this can be very difficult. We are encouraged by society to be bold, seize the day and be confident. The focus on ‘self,’ being proud and materialistic are what society expects of us. We can aspire towards humility and many Christians do through prayer, bible study, Christian fellowship and worship. I had started to read into recent events some signs that I needed more humility (I’m sure that much is true). I had agreed to lead a lent group and even though I denied it to myself, felt some pride at being asked (also some guilt for feeling pride). Then the group was cancelled due to a lack of takers, which was humbling. Another group I tried to join as a member was also cancelled due to low numbers, so I didn’t join a Lent group this year for the first time in several years which was disappointing (to me at least). I have also recently injured my knee wh
Read more

Yesterday, I turned a corner...

Image
The last few months have seen some of the biggest roller coaster lurches in all of my vocational journey, and I haven't said anything here, because I haven't really known what to to say, even though I wanted to share, especially as people have prayed for me in the past, which has always meant a huge amount to me. So what has happened? Back in October, I met two Diocesan Assessors, one lay and one ordained. It then took about a month to receive feedback (for entirely understandable reasons), which effectively said that while I had a clear vocation to ordained ministry, it was felt that I lacked the necessary leadership skills and especially confidence, which I would need to do well at a panel. Now, it's honesty time, my confidence had taken quite a battering over the previous six months, the drawn out vocation process and continued levels of required introspection had started to take their toll, combined with a work situation which had meant my confidence in my role and
Read more

The one where I own up to introspection...

Part of the reason I don't blog very often is that it can sometimes seem rather introspective (such is the nature of exploring vocation), some details can be personal and private, then if I'm being careful not to mention too many names and places, there can then be little left to say. However, things do move on. This vocation journey is more like a container ship than a speed boat, or perhaps a long distance backpacker than a 5k runner. It's a steady, onwards exploration. I'm seeing, experiencing and learning a lot on the way and no matter what happens, my faith, will be much deeper than I would have imagined a few years ago. This journey also needs much prayer and so the odd update may be helpful to people who have said they'll pray for me. So here we go... It's taken some time to realise God's timing isn't the same as mine. As I have explored vocation to ministry, tested some avenues, tried a few cul-de-sacs then found a path which seems more lev
Read more