This week I have been flooded with emotions. My interview for ordination is coming up on Tuesday. It will end a journey that began about nine years ago in Houston. I remember telling my wife about a burden that had been placed on my heart. I remember being nervous as I told her that, “I believe that I had been called, set apart by God, for ordained ministry.”
I expected her to laugh and say, “Yeah, right!” Instead she agreed with me. I was floored as I went to the pastor of the church that I had been serving as a music director and shared with him my thoughts about ministry. He acknowledged my calling and gave me a book to read about ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church. He then encouraged me to contact the District Superintendent to begin the process towards candidacy.
While I had many ups with a few downs thrown in, I have appreciated the journey. My life has changed with or without ordination. During this time of discernment my family took a big risk and moved to New Mexico. We left all that we knew feeling that we were being called to our places of service. I also flew once a week for three years to Denver to complete my seminary training. Many of the obstacles I faced seemed insurmountable, but with God’s help, all challenges were met head on.
Through it all my spirit still stayed true to the calling that was placed on my heart. It has served me well and I am grateful that God has been my guide from the beginning. Perhaps this is the most important lesson that I learned by taking this path towards my passion. I discovered that following the road that leads to my own joy is the one that leads to God. At the center of my own spirit is the fountainhead of God’s love in my life. To continue along its waters is to live in the Spirit of God. I hope to continue to share the radical presence of the Divine that has brought me to this moment. Today, I am very grateful for the journey.
From a Pastor's Point of View 