Monday, September 29, 2008

Dear God,

Being a leader means you set aside what's going on in your own heart in order to mend the hearts of others. Being a leader calls for objective leadership, looking at a situation, exploring alternatives, and guiding toward solutions.

Uncertain times seem to be causing people to be more tense, more worried, anxious, and concerned. They carry those feelings just under the skin so if even the smallest thing happens, the skin pops and the feelings explode, sometimes leaving people in a wake of hurt, confusion and anger.

As a pastor I have to deal with these outbursts as a way to bring stability, calm, and peace to the situation. I may be feeling the same as others; however, I have to find other ways to instill peace within myself. In those crisis moments I have to lead with a serene calm.

I take refuge in the words of your son Isaiah who spoke of an everlasting light, a never-dry well of living water. Ever bubbling over I invite my friends and colleagues to walk with me in the light to the well carrying their empty cups. When we arrive, I help them fill them up. Whether they choose to drink or not is their choice.

With a shaky national and world economy, I sense the call to spend more time at the well. In fact in earlier days people came to the well together. At the heart of communities, the well was the source of water to all those around. Sometimes they came together or lingered there to share with one another. And there your people found hope, love, acceptance, help, and peace. Someone cared.

Perhaps I need to invite my flock to the well to tarry with me, to share their fears and anxieties, their concerns and pain. Perchance we can help one another find hope for the living of these days. Maybe learning how to share our faith at the well with trusted friends can help us bond, giving us more breath to breathe, more air to suck in, filled with the light of your son Christ. We can sense that these friends care about us and are willing to help us carry our own burdens without falling under the weight. We can drink that powerful water together, giving us courage to walk away with hope and strength to live each day in the shadow of your cross remembering your promise to always be with us and to lavish us with your grace-filled love.

I need that water just like all the rest because I carry the burdens of many people. A stop at the well with friends might just be something to help us all.

O God,
the thought
of your well
waiting
gives me strength
for another day.
I recognize
once again
that you have
made provision
for us all.
Light, love,
help, comfort,
compassion, mercy,
guidance and peace.
Living water
that quenches
any thirst.
I'm going
to grab my cup
and head
for the well.
I can't wait
to see you there.

Love, Andrea