The Process

I wrote this today for the Bishop and his Cabinet who must make this "Appointment" process work in the system we have in the United Methodist Church of today. It is not perfect and some day I may have to go somewhere I really don't want to go--but all in all I must put my faith in God that God will be in the center of where I am sent and not some human error or vengeful reaction to whatever. I love the United Methodist Church and I believe it is the way of the future and I hope everyone will see that light some day. Sometimes I don't like do what I answered the call to do, but all the time I do enjoy seeing God changes lives for the better. So, I hope you read this today with the appointment process in mind. Blessings to all, Bro Steve

The Process

Scripture: Proverbs 15: 4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

Observation: It is hard sometimes to be nice when things don't go your way. It is easy to reply harshly when things have not happened as you had planned.

Application: I come into this place today thinking about the times when I had laid plans which I believed would have brought great results and possibly changed peoples lives for the better. You know the old saying, "best laid plans of mice and men..." The only thing is my best laid plan was shaky at best because one phone call or a participant who decided not to fulfill the commitment; or, maybe had an unforeseen emergency could mess it all up in an instant.
When I came into the ministry, I was asked would I go where I was sent and I answered after much thought and prayer "yes." I don't remember anything being said about moving up a latter or rising to the "top" and I don't remember anything being implied about those things either. It was just will you go? I said yes to that.
Saying yes to that question required me to put a lot of faith in God and those whom I believed had put their faith in God as well to lead them into decision making that would effect my life and my ministry. I have to have confidence in the process and in the people who are doing their level best, I believe, to match gifts and graces with needs and direction. I truly believe that it is not about prestige or position but it is about fulfilling a calling in which ultimately God is in control of while giving me a free will in the process.
God is always bigger than I can ever imagine or describe, so I have to put my faith and trust in God and in those who are struggling over the process. God always has a way of bringing good out of the worst of situations.
Who am I to criticize? I could say a lot of negative things about the process, but isn't it better to look for the best and the positive side.
It takes more muscles to frown that it does to smile.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for the process today and I pray for those who work hard at making the process have the best outcome possible with all its imperfections. God I know that you take the most unlikely people and use them to bring glory to you and expand the kingdom--I trust in you. Thanks for loving me, Stephen

Yieldings: I put my faith and trust in God first.