The mountains are green. The trees are budding. The tulips are peeking (and they will survive until the deer munch them). Spring is a time for looking forward.
I admit, as my fingers tap the keys on my keyboard, I am a little distracted. In a couple of days, I will be taking off for Israel/Palestine for a conference sponsored by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program – Mosaic of Peace: Responding to a call for peace and wholeness in a land called ‘holy.’
I am looking forward to walking in the Old City of Jerusalem and in Bethlehem, to seeing the olive groves of the West Bank and Galilee, and to walking in the paths where Jesus and the disciples made their mark. Most of you know that I studied there as an undergraduate in the ’80’s. I am looking forward to returning to the place where my life took a big turn toward ministry.
But I am not going there just to sightsee. I am very excited about meeting Jews and Palestinians and other Presbyterians engaged in ministry toward justice and peace. Making peace involves passion, controversy, and risk. It’s tough, but it’s what Jesus did. I am looking forward to meeting those on the front lines of the struggle. I am looking forward to learning, sharing, and being empowered to contribute in whatever tiny way I can to justice and peace. You’ll hear and see more when I return, of course! (I will be back on May 10)
This spring, I am also looking forward to ongoing, meaningful, and relevant ministry with all of you. We don’t all agree on everything, but we stand together on the core of things – loving life in relationship with Jesus and with each other. Sometimes it’s tough (Living with me often is. How about you?) and asks a lot. Sometimes the deer munch the flowers before they get a chance to bloom. But more often, a loving life together is blessed. What I love about so many of you is that you don’t just want to exist; you want to live, and you want to share life. That’s awesome! Ministering together, with all of its challenges and blessings, is something to look forward to.
Thanks for all you do. Thanks for being who you are, and for being willing to stretch with me in becoming the people God calls us to be. I thank God for bringing us together.
Happy Spring! Now if I can just remember where I put my passport…
Peace, Paul
For more details about the trip, follow this link: http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/peacemaking/mosaic-peace/
