by Rev Robert A Wendel
“Holy and beloved clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Bear with one another. Forgive each other. Above all, clothe yourself with love. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:12-14, 17, NRSV.)
In all my years of being involved in ministry as a pastor, hospital chaplain and teacher, I have yet to go off to bed for the night thinking “Well done today. You did everything that needed doing.” As I expected, my life has been filled with a sense of never having done enough. Although there is a blessing of simply being needed in a wide variety of ways by a great spectrum of folks.
In the daily grind of pastoral opportunities, there always been at least one lonely person I didn’t visit, one who needed a ride to the mid-week fellowship meal or bible study, someone whose mood would have been lifted by a handwritten note or a birthday card. And there’s that regular parade of utility bills. The moment we move into town, God gives church shepherds an ache only action will satisfy.
The gospel speaks to believers and unbelievers. Sunday morning worship serves to remind us of the gospel’s comforting influence. Paul was pre-occupied with Christ. Seven times in his letters he brings three little words together; faith, hope and love, to each us that Christians are an optimistic bunch (I Cor. 13:13). The triad of faith, hope and love is the very heart of our faith.
Like anyone, I thought that our wedding was the most important event of that day. Just before the 2:00 PM church service, Dr. Frey, one of the two ministers, commented to me, “I conducted a funeral at 10:00 AM earlier this morning.” His message was that whatever ministry happening right then is all that is important for that person, couple or family.
How wonderful it is to know that God is with me on my journey helping me to let go of the unnecessary and to hang onto the essential (Philippians 4:11), being content… in what I can do.