Ambassador Presbyterian Church

We had the opportunity this past week to go rafting and camping in the mountains together as a family. After a full day of running the rapids, we found a wonderful camp site beside a beautiful mountain stream. As, I sat by the campfire early on a chilly morning, there in front of me stood a tall tree sitting alone on a very small island cut out of the bank. I wondered how such a large tree could grow on such a small patch of ground with rushing water constantly flowing on all sides. The trees roots have obviously grown deep in the fertile, well-watered ground and thus it stands strong and tall, branches bursting green with life. I couldn’t help but think of Psalm 1 where God speaks of the blessed man whose delight is in God’s Word. “He is like a tree planted by streams of water.”

The first week of my sabbatical has been one of adjustment. The past twelve years I’ve been on the rapidly flowing river of pastoral ministry which has brought countless moments of great joy as well as a few opportunities to simply hang on and ride it out. To step off of that river and onto the bank to rest, to reflect on God’s beauty, power, creativity, and goodness and to sink the roots of my heart deeper into his grace and love in Christ has taken time. I feel a bit like Martha, trying to set her cooking and cleaning aside to sit with Mary at Jesus’ feet. Not an easy task, but much needed. That morning by the stream was a turning point of sorts, a move off the river to be planted by the stream of God’s everflowing grace. I’m eternally grateful to my church family for allowing me time to further rooted and growing in Christ. We appreciate your prayers and look forward to what God has in store in the coming weeks.