40 Day Walk With God — May 12, 2014

Day 22–
PASTORAL EXCELLENCE

Micah 6:6-8
With what should I approach the LORD and bow down before God on high?
Should I come before him with entirely burned offerings, with year-old calves? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with many torrents of oil? Should I give my oldest child for my crime; the fruit of my body for the sin of my spirit? He has told you, human one, what is good and what the LORD requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.

My friend, Renita, passed away a couple of years ago. She was an awesome clergywoman who died young, and yet left a legacy of love that has lifted her family, friends and colleagues to a higher and nobler place. She often spoke of “a de-cluttered life.”

Renita knew that too many people, lay and clergy, often hold on to worldly stuff that takes too much of our time and attention. Sometime we can’t see the Cross because of the mountains of stuff. She de-cluttered her life early on, choosing to invest in God’s people.

One day as we walked into a restaurant in Atlanta, she saw a young mother sitting on a bench with three small children. She went over and asked to hold the baby. Then, she invited them to have lunch with us. After the meal, I said to her, “That was a sweet thing you did.” She simply said,

“I just listened to God!”

Without a doubt, that is pastoral excellence! We are all called to follow Renita’s example, as we step out into a hurting world to bring wholeness, healing and hope.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to stop talking so much, and to take time to listen to you. Open my eyes to see tired mothers, hungry children, and those who need to be brought to your table. Help me to “de-clutter my life.” In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

The Rev. Roger A. Hopson
Clarksville District Superintendent, Tennessee Conference