Today’s scripture: 2 Cor 4:1-15 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Vivian Wyatt):
When I was in seminary, I would have fellow students ask me if I were going into parish ministry; if I would be a pastor. I would respond very emphatically, NO, that is not my calling. For three years I said this, and then I had a clearness committee. A clearness committee is composed of three to five trusted individuals who spend about three hours with you asking questions. The purpose is to find clearness toward, in my case, my calling.
The final recommendation from my committee was that I should take a preaching class and do my internship at a church. I was definitely not pleased, as I thought I was called to be a hospice chaplain and taking the class and interning at a church would be off my chosen path. However, because I trusted my committee, I followed their instructions — and the rest is history. I am in parish ministry. I am a pastor.
So today’s passage struck home with me. “Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that [I am] engaged in this ministry, [I] do not lose heart. But [I] have this treasure in [a clay jar], so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from [me].
Prayer for today: God, thank you for seeing me and knowing what would make me happy. If left to my own devices, I would be doing a good work but maybe not a God work. Help others, as you helped me, to see what you have called them to do. Amen
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.