March 1, 2019

TGIF

Every week, I’m answering four questions. Some weeks, these questions are easier to answer than others. Here are the questions:
❶ What am I TRUSTING?
❷ For whom or what am I GRATEFUL?
❸ What is INSPIRING me?
❹ How am I practicing FAITH?

Here’s TGIF, Week 9…

Trust

❶ What am I trusting?

I’m trusting Jesus.

A little context. The denomination I am a part of, the United Methodist Church, held a special session of General Conference this week to make decisions about the church’s stance on LGBTQ+ individuals serving as pastors and same-sex marriages being performed by pastors in local churches.

My purpose here is not to delineate the plans or debate the choices made. My purpose here is to say, I am trusting Jesus to help us embody the love of God to one another in our words, our actions, and our interactions.

I am trusting Jesus to help us remember who we are and whose we are. All so we can love God, love our neighbors, and change the world.

I’m trusting Jesus because, among the array of emotions and feelings swirling through our faith communities, there are deeply held values. My mentor coach reminded me in an email this morning that feelings are often driven by values. Let me offer you this question, “Underneath the feelings you have, what values are at play?”

If you’re feeling…

anxious, what value is underneath it?
hurt, what value is underneath it?
confused, what value is underneath it?
relieved, what value is underneath it?
sad, what value is underneath it?
___, what value is underneath it?

That’s a great question to ask yourself on this great journey called life!

Gratitude

❷ For whom or what am I grateful?

I’m grateful for the people in my life. That broad statement isn’t an attempt to remain vague. It’s simply the reality of this week. I’m grateful for my family and friends and colleagues who I have the privilege of sharing my time and talents with on this journey called life.

Inspiration

❸ What is INSPIRING me?

This is a tough one this week. I want to take a cop out and say, not much.

But, I’ll simply leave it at this: there’s an Esther I know who is inspiring me. She leads with passion, courage, gumption, clarity, and conviction. The opportunity to lead is never lost on her.

Faith

❹ How am I practicing FAITH?

Last week, I wrote, choose faith and “….while you’re at it, don’t be a donkey.” So how am I practicing faith? By not being a donkey. I have to attempt a little humor. ‘Cause when tension is high, I have to find some way to laugh!

I choose faith.

I continue to choose faith. No institution or corporate decision-making body can do that for me. No system or structure can live out my faith. That is for me, for you, for our communities of faith to do together. I continue to hold the church in prayer. I continue to seek clarity on how to best lead going forward.

What’s your TGIF? Let me know in the comments below.