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“The Perfect Storm”
The
Perfect Storm was a runaway best
seller a few years ago, a hair-raising account of a fishing boat’s
encounter with the storm of the century.
In October, 1991, a rare combination of atmospheric factors
converged to create what meteorologists called “the perfect storm.” This storm generated hurricane force
winds and waves over 100 feet high.
It gives the reader, in the words of one reviewer, “a breathless
sense of what if feels like to be caught, helpless, in the grip of a force
of nature beyond our understanding or control.”
I don’t know about
you, but I don’t much like the sense of being caught in the force of
something I can’t understand or control.
Said another way, I rather enjoy the sense that I am control, at
least over my own life.
Control, however,
is an illusion. The simple fact is
that we are not in control of very much.
The Groth family learned first-hand recently that the locus of
control can shift rather suddenly from us to a disease, or to the surgeon’s
calendar, or the pathologist’s phone call.
We enjoy the illusion that we are in control, but it is just that –
an illusion.
Last week I was
reminded again how stability and predictability can vanish with the ringing
of the phone. I have received a call
to serve as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church
in Menasha, Wisconsin. Before anything else, I want to assure
you that I was not seeking a call. I also want to assure you that I have
not made a decision on this, nor am I ready to do so. I know I will not leave Good Shepherd
unless I am convinced God is calling me to a new pastoral charge.
A few words about
Trinity: Last year, Trinity
celebrated their 150th anniversary. It is the same size as Good Shepherd, and
has a school (pre-school – 8th grade). Trinity is located in downtown Menasha
which is sandwiched between Neenah and Appleton.
Many things will
go into this decision. I will
re-evaluate my role and effectiveness at Good Shepherd. I will also evaluate my potential role at
Trinity. Of course, I want and am getting
feedback from my children and from Gail and extended family, and I also
welcome your counsel. I will make a
decision by February 17th.
One thing this
process has already taught the Groths is how much we love being here with
you at Good Shepherd. The thought of
pulling up roots and moving on is not an appealing one. I enjoy my work as a pastor and I enjoy
working here, at Good Shepherd, as a pastor. I enjoy being with you, the people of
Good Shepherd. Yet often the Lord
calls each of us to move away from the comfortable and the predictable and
toward the unknown and mysterious, trusting in him. It happened time and time again in the
Bible. It happens yet today. We
shall see.
Through this process,
God has also reminded me he is trustworthy.
“I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer.
29:11). He has plans for Good Shepherd. He has plans for your family and mine. These plans are beyond our understanding
or control, but they are good plans, for he is our Good Shepherd. When everything is out of control and it
feels like chaos, we can trust in him.
We need only look at the cross for a reminder that he is
trustworthy.
Pastor Groth
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