Mark's Thoughts
Long Haul Living ~ Nov 2009
As Patty and I celebrate our 30th Anniversary today, October 27th, in two days we also celebrate fourteen years of life as Community Covenant Church. Beginning on October 29th, 1995, in the Gruening Middle School lunch room, we acted awkwardly in faith as we had our first service open to the public. I say "awkwardly" because acting in faith can be very awkward, especially when you put a sign out and pray for God's best, unsure of what that means. So many questions about the future were on people's minds. Remember, faith means acting with 100% commitment on something you are not 100% certain of. The location of that awkwardness is in that % that you are unsure of. The main thing is we did it, and now we celebrate.
I want to say something for the phrase "long haul". Thirty years of marriage or fourteen years of church life can seem long or short (don't take as a comment on my marriage), depending on what you are comparing them to. In this age, they do seem like a long time - more than they would have, say, fifty years ago. My point is there are certain blessings in life that only come through the long haul. People change (hopefully they grow), circumstances change, life happens. And when this is lived out over a number of years and decades, there are certain intangible benefits that accrue to those who endure, who simply remain faithful. James says it best: "you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:3-4)
How do we cultivate a long haul view and endurance? We must pace ourselves for the long race. When I was in 9th grade I ran a race in track that I was not ready for. I was a sprinter, but this race was beyond a sprint. I set out fast and was in the lead at the half way point. I soon began to fall back, watching each runner pass me by - I was barely able to finish the race and finished last. I did not pace myself. It was painful both to my body and my ego.
As part of pacing, about eight years ago, we decided as a church to give staff a three month sabbatical every seven years. I want to say this was a very wise thing to do, though I am not totally objective on this. But we do get tired in the race and a sabbatical is a time to get out and get some oxygen for the soul that will keep us in the race for the full distance. As I take the first month of my second sabbatical in November, I want you to remind you what it is about. During this month, I will be in southern Utah most of the time, at a home that has been graciously made available to me. I will be working on my doctoral final project and finding time to do a little hiking in a part of the world I have never seen.
I receive this not as an expectation but as a gift - but I think, I hope, that it is also a gift to you also. I love God, his kingdom, and I love his church, this church. I want to keep this love fresh and growing, for the long haul. I want to receive more so that I can give more. Thank you. I am also thankful to serve with people who are capable of doing so much - I leave you knowing how this. Also, I ask for your prayers, for them and for me.
~ Grace till December, Pastor Mark