Dear APUMC Family,
As I have pondered in my heart Pastor Darren’s sermons these past couple of weeks, I have been inspired to tackle those last few moving boxes that have been gathering dust in the corner of our living room. The reality is that if we have not needed the “stuff” in these boxes enough to unpack them before now…it probably means that the items should be given away. I realized this to be true for the majority of this “stuff;” however, I am grateful that I took the time to sort through a box that I initially thought only contained my lecture notebooks from my days at Huntingdon College. Buried beneath my composition books and folders, I stumbled upon a few of my journals (two from my teenage years and one from my early-20s). My first response was laughter. I could not believe I still had them! I have moved multiple times since graduating from high school; yet, somehow these “made it to baggage claim” safely every time. I almost tossed them aside to continue my task of decluttering the living room, but my curiosity got the better of me. I took a moment to read through the thoughts of my younger years and within the pages I discovered a common thread: The word “but.”
These journals contain daily reflections as well as pages dedicated to naming my hopes and dreams. The latter are responsible for the greatest contribution of “buts.” For example, I wrote:
“I would apply to go to Huntingdon College, but none of my friends are going there. What if I do not fit in?"
“I want to fully recover, but my doctors said that I would always struggle with these illnesses."
“I feel called to ordained ministry, but that does not align with what I have always been taught about women’s roles in ministry.”
My dream of attending Duke Divinity School was also written on page after page, but I wrote, “I could never afford to study there,” and “it is unrealistic for me to think that I could possibly handle being a full-time student while also working full-time.”
As I sat there in my living room, looking back on my life, I realized that I am currently dancing in God’s promises that my “buts” were trying to distract me from believing as true - promises of God’s grace, mercy, provision, strength, and love. So, my dear friends, I must ask:
If God’s promises are true for me, could they be true for you too?
Maybe you feel God calling you to step out in faith and finally follow your dream of _______, but you are afraid of failing.
Maybe you have been wanting to join the choir or participate in a Sunday school class, but you feel like you do not have time in your already busy schedule or that there could not possibly be a place for you.
Maybe you are interested in joining the church, but you are not sure where to begin or how your presence could make a difference.
Or maybe you are a child/youth in 3rd-8th grade who is interested in participating in our Acolyte Ministry, but you have never done anything like that before and are wondering if you are too young to help lead worship.
As we will discover together in our upcoming sermon series, even Jeremiah protested that what God was calling him to do was beyond his ability. He said, “But I am only a youth.” Jeremiah’s call story, similar to many of our own, began with a “but.” Jeremiah’s “but” was no match for God’s plan to form the prophet and shape God’s people, though.
Whatever your but may be today, I want to encourage you to challenge that but with “but, God…”
But, God is with me (Josh 1:9).
But, God is Way Maker - making a way in the sea and a path through raging water (Isa 43:16).
But, God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Ps 73:26).
But, God calls me by name (Is 43:1).
But, God is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer (Ps 18:2).
But, God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8).
But, God is faithful!
Together, let’s tell our “buts” the Good News! Let’s tell our “buts” about our God!
Grace and peace,
Jennifer