Transition

Knowing that you have been created for a purpose is essential to begin the process of answering the question, "What am I here for?" That question and the universal need to answer it, at least by the sober in our midst, requires input from those with whom we associate and especially those with understanding of how we are to seek the answer. The last seventeen plus years, the pastor of our church has helped me tremendously with the business of finding purpose. The fact that he has recently felt called to serve elsewhere leaves me, and others, with a mix of emotions that can only come when the nature of a relationship comes to an end. At that point, knowing that things will never be same, we need to evaluate what has happened and use what we have learned to move forward.

To say I will miss the man who has encouraged me to seek purpose over these seventeen years is quite the understatement. It makes me pause to appreciate the way many others have done a similar thing. My decision to make a ministry of woodworking through "Out of the Woodwork" would not likely have happened had it not been for the interaction with many people, some of whom I can thank only in my prayers at this point. Ministry in whatever form it takes allows us to fulfill the purpose for which we were created. The catch is, we have to do it with people, messed up,imperfect, sinful people; just like ourselves. My pastor, soon to be the pastor elsewhere, has modeled how to do that for me and those that will remain and continue to be the church. Take time to thank those who are doing likewise for you and if you happen to be reading this and are unsure of who those people are, slow down, observe the humble servants around you, and realize they are likely serving for the best of reasons; Jesus asked them to.