Fill ‘er up, Lord!

Some people have asked me what makes me a “minister” as opposed to being simply a good person who tries to do good things?

Good question.

I’d have to say that I don’t know a lot of “good” people that write sermons for their own edification, and, when possible, to share with those who are interested.

In fact, I don’t even know a lot of ministers who talk about how much they absolutely love to write and preach sermons.

And I understand why. I think it’s a lot to ask a minister to create a new sermon every single week! It really is.

Plus, based on my own experiences as both church leader and parishioner, I know one can only absorb so many seeds at once.

Children learn by repetition, and so do we. Especially as we age.

Our culture exalts what’s new and exciting and flashy. Which is okay. But to dismiss repetition is to dismiss learning. To dismiss the value of building solid foundations.

Back to the question.

I haven’t sporadically written sermons here and there, but rather I’ve written and practiced preaching sermons for years.

And I’ve been anointed by the Holy Spirit, which is something I guess I can’t prove to some folks’ satisfaction.

And I know this because I know better than any one who I was, who I am, and how I’ve evolved–and it wasn’t without some supernatural inward & outward experiences.

We must remember God fills all kinds of vessels. For all kinds of purposes.

In a soundbyte world, God seems to have made me a soundbyte minister! Offering nuggets of spiritual and worldly wisdom in diverse situations.

Others are anointed to teach the historical backdrops of specific religious works; and they are good at it.

Some are anointed to evangelize in various places.

And so on.

It is important to remind ourselves of the truth of that hymn I Sing a Song of the Saints of God.

“…And one was a doctor, and one was a queen, and one was a shepherdess on the green…”

And some keep filling the tank of an old Honda and say, “Let’s go, Lord!”

AMEN.