Ben’s April Letter
Dear Friends in Christ,
I write to you in the middle of my busiest time of year. The week before Easter is, of course, peak season in my line of work; but this year March has been packed with meetings, a funeral, and the Evergreen 2030 listening sessions. There is exciting stuff on the horizon! But I am ready for a nap. I’m blessed that I have the opportunity to take some time away after this very busy season. I’ll be out of the office from April 2 to April 8 for continuing education—engaging in the books, podcasts, and unstructured moments with God that challenge my mind and feed my soul. I’ll be around if emergencies arise—but mostly I plan to check out and recharge my batteries.
We are an action-oriented congregation—this is one of the messages that the Evergreen 2030 team has received over and over again in its data gathering and listening sessions. We have received many suggestions for programs, classes, service projects, mission partnerships, and intra-congregational tasks. Many of these ideas are great! Some of them will probably be implemented. We seem willing to fill time and spend energy doing things—generally good news. But in the middle of a busy season, when doing has dominated my weeks, I wonder if I’m not the only one who needs a season of sitting down and finding rest and inspiration. Perhaps in the weeks after Easter we would all benefit from quiet time spent reconnecting with God.
A few months ago at a retreat for EPC leaders, our convener challenged us to think this way: God is _____, so we _____. God is loving, so we love others. God is our maker, so we honor our bodies. God is still speaking, so we listen deeply….fill in the blanks as you will. As Christians, we act because God is. Which means that before we begin to work, before we start acting, we must sit down, reflect on God, and let our souls be filled. We need to spend some time talking to God before we go out changing the world in God’s name.
Yes, action-oriented people: I am telling you to pause. I challenge you—busy, active people of Evergreen Presbyterian Church—to do less this month. And instead of getting to work, fill that time with focusing on God. Find the things that fill your soul, go to the places where you experience God most strongly, let your mind be stretched in new ways. Discern who God is, and only then decide to do.
I wish you a restful, recharging April and Eastertide. And I wish me one, too.
In the love of Christ,
Rev. Ben