23 October 2019 I committed myself to serve the assembled community at Trinity Lutheran Church at Middle Village, NY. 27 October 2019 I was welcomed as their Interim Pastor by that same community in mutual support and celebration of the ever-present and forgiving love of God. That same day we gathered once again to remember, mourn, celebrate the life and ministry of the Reverend Leo E. (Jay) Longan who had served this community for 20 years.
Monday morning had me wondering what I had committed myself to. And within hours I was at the Bishops retreat surrounded by other pastors and deacons in another community of faith. I wandered the monastic community, overwhelmed by the changes of being in that place. Reflecting while in worship, visiting with friends and new acquaintances and discovering that the commitment I had made was one where once again God was directing to refreshment and comfort. It was easy to listen to the cacophony surrounding me even then, would I succeed, would I fail would I be good or bad, would the assembly at Trinity welcome me or turn their backs as they mourn for Jay and their hopes and pains.
We or I often find expectations to become mazes that misdirect and betray the riches of the lives we are given to live. We want to have certainty in our journey. We want to know the answers in advance so we will be safe. God didn’t promise us safety or certainty only the path of love, forgiveness and the journey.
So that Wednesday, while feeling twisted and confused I wandered into the mist and the rain, seemingly drawn to a labyrinth. A labyrinth draws one into the path to the center clearing the distractions and showing the heart of our faith, leading us on. From the center, we leave refreshed and forgiven, or in the case of that Wednesday walk, reminded of the waters of baptism and the power of being forgiven over and over, washed up, refreshed and set free. The walkout found a lighter step, a surprising calm. The noise was washed away with that labyrinth walk, the maze seeking success and surrounding me in fear was quieted. Washed, forgiven and in the heart of God in Jesus. Urging us all to walk to our baptisms and our forgiveness and being the hands of God in the world.
Walk the labyrinth. Come to the heart of healing, the heart of God.
