I came back from vacation on Sunday - a very nice service, a good day, lots of space. Then came Tuesday. We're building a new sanctuary, and I had an 8:00 meeting with the electrician, the contractor, and the building committee. The sound tech showed up as well - then in walked the person in charge of security, data and phones. So we meet - while the roofers are working on both the current and future sanctuary roofs. Have you ever tried to meet in a hollow shell of a building, while the roofers are at work? (They gave us twenty minutes - then started in again.)Meanwhile, out back of our offices, a huge track-hoe was digging the new sewer line - right through my son's Eagle project. (He was not happy when he found out on Wednesday.) And the electrician said yes, the pendant lights in the current sanctuary could be used in the new one - and the next thing I knew, they were all taken down. (We may not have any lights at all in the sanctuary this Sunday!) They had to come down when they did. We just weren't expecting that - not yet, anyway. And they are all currently stored in my office!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, two congregants are getting ready for major back surgery, one is recovering from a hip replacement, one from a cracked rib, and one from a dislocated shoulder. There is a congregant newly in hospice care, and several who have just lost spouses. People are dealing with children who have bi-polar disorder, new moves or anticipated moves into assisted living, and a couple are looking at vocations for ministry. One person is giving up her involvement in a long worked-on, long held dream - so it will have a better opportunity to grow. Another is pruning back her involvement in many things so she will have an opportunity to heal. Still another is taking a new position at work that will have unknown effects on everything else he does. Life is chaotic, to say the least. And I'm trying to keep my head above water, and above all, learn God's priorities for my life. God, in the chaos, in the confusion, in the midst of all the demands - what is your call to me?
I know it's not the building. I've got a few pieces I need to do, and do well. The rest belong to everyone else. And as much as it has to do with the people God has sent me, and as important as that is, I still have a call to connect with those I haven't yet met. I had one good opportunity for that this week, and another is coming up next week. I've joined a community board that will meet quarterly, dealing with GLBT safety issues. The police were there, the health district was there, the college was there, the youth center was there...and I was there, too. I'm not so involved as many of the other folks were, but I was glad to be present, and to be able to connect with others who are wanting to make the community a safe place for everyone. As a person of faith, I can add an important voice to that conversation. Then, next week, I've got a young adult meeting with our District Superintendent. What does church mean to you? Tell us about your life of faith. If you were going to attend a church, what might it be like? What would matter most to you? Some of the people coming already attend a church - but some do not. We'll talk, at least for a while, and learn from one another. I'm even thinking of meeting in our unfinished new space - a good place for such a discussion, I think...
Even in the midst of chaos, a purpose, a direction, a polestar can be found. And it always resides in God's call, God's will, God's creativity - ever new, ever constant, ever faithful. Chaos is the birthplace of new creation. May it be so in our lives.
