Grace and Peace to each of you,
A shout-out and big ol’ “Thank you” to Mike Todd, Debi Kinsky, and Ruth Geisel for lending their wisdom and voices to the mid-week thoughts while I was away doing UCC work. You have heard me say ministry is “we” work. God has called us to collective work, and where the Spirit is leading, we will get there together or not at all. I pray you were blessed as I was to read what the Spirit was speaking to their hearts.
As we move forward in ministry and life, there will always be obstacles to overcome. It is part and parcel of our human existence. If you are like me, when I struggle with a difficult situation or a tough decision, sometimes I feel awash and inundated with too many details and opinions. Often when we don’t know how to move forward or what to decide, anxiety and frustration build, and hopelessness can begin to creep in. You have also heard me say, “The impossible parts” belong to God. The how and when that leads to results all belong to God. It is crucial that we continually remind ourselves of this truth. We must learn to release the situation and let go and let God.
This simple yet powerful act puts our problematic situations, circumstances, and worries in perspective. No situation or circumstance is greater than God. Stepping away from the issue, even for a few moments, helps us remember the divine has already sussed out the path to the best outcome.
In prayer, we release the need for a specific outcome, trusting there is likely a solution that our human intellect cannot conceive or perceive. As we do, we will begin to relax keeping our thoughts and efforts on God’s power and willingness to work on our behalf. This reality always creates space for grace and wisdom that lead to the best outcome.