Thursday’s reading contained some more laws, but nestled in the pages of Chapter 27 lies the first transition of power, the new leader of the Hebrew people (Num. 27:18-21). In the text, God directs Moses to appoint Joshua as the new person in charge after Moses dies. The priest, Elazar the son of Aaron, the brother of Moses, formally acknowledges Joshua’s leadership, and thus begins the transition of power. A new era in the history of the people of Adonai starts with a blessing.
I remember my ordination as if it was yesterday. All three District Superintendents Donna Tebrink, the conference lay leader, lay hands on me as Bishop Bledsoe spoke the words of holy orders challenging me to “Go and Make Disciples.” The moment proved surreal and sacred, set apart as something to remember. All of the years of hard work, traveling back and forth to Denver every week for three years and continued wondering if I had what it took to lead the children of God to a new land.
We all know what it is like to hear that still small voice and respond, “Here I am. Send me” (Isa. 6:8 ESV). God’s voice is alive, and many times the problems of the world drown out the sound of the divine. Our job is to be still for a brief moment so that we can hear our Savior calling to us, wooing us into a holy relationship. We are called to return to right relationship, to redeem our hearts and minds from the most painful of places.
Commissioning comes in all shapes and sizes, and the road to the laying on of hands is not an easy task. The path is full of twists and turns, but if we stay faithful, we see the celebration of our God’s amazing handiwork. The calling, placed on our lives by God, breathes fresh air into a world that needs to experience hope and joy. We serve our community and our God and live into the reality that with God all things are possible.
Today I encourage you to share your call story. As you share, monitor how you feel as you tell someone how God pulled you up and led you through the murkiest of waters. If anyone would like to share their personal journeys, please feel free to stop by the church and take a moment to tell me what God did, and continues to do, in your life. Such stories are legendary and full of sacred nuggets of God’s blessings.
From a Pastor's Point of View 