The Future just got a lot closer this week.
While hanging out with some other friends this week, someone
said, “you know? After this semester and j-term, we’ll be halfway done with our
class load at LSTC.”
What?
My first reaction is to ask all sorts of evaluative questions
of my experience in looking toward my future. What have I
been learning for the past half of my class time here? Am I feeling adequately prepared to be a
pastor? Am I really ready to preach and
teach according with the Confessions and Scriptures? All of these are great questions to ask for
any seminarian in whatever place they find themselves, but I have to
continually remind myself that, while I love to keep close tabs on everything
(especially when it comes to class loads and registration!), there’s got to be
some room for the Spirit to move.
This is another one of my growing edges that I have discovered. I can make all sorts of plans and goals, and
this is a very good skill to have, but to be in a loving relationship with God and with
other people demands room for something more than what I plan on
happening. It demands room for spontaneity
and openness to new experiences alongside of plans and goals. It demands a willingness to let change and
growth occur as God intentionally pours out God’s Spirit onto the whole of
creation (Joel 2:28). It demands these
things because the Spirit is really what we are following and interacting with
as we continually discern our vocations inside and outside of LSTC.
So am I ready to be a pastor? Well, I still don’t have my first clerical
yet, but I'm sure that will change in the future as the Spirit moves me ;)
Have a great Thursday!
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