Tomorrow I leave to go the our church's 220 General Assembly.
After 16 years in the ministry I will serve as a first time Commissioner as our church goes about the business of doing the business of the Body of Christ.
Already, people have been praying for me and the rest of those who are already gathering in Pittsburgh. I am humbled and thankful for this opportunity and consider it an honor as well as a burden.
Last Sunday, I preached on the lectionary, appropriately timed passages that they were of David defeating Goliath and Jesus asleep in the boat during a windstorm, awoken by the disciples as waves beat into the boat, then Jesus calming the storm.
Certainly those passages are about having faith in the midst of scary foes-whether it's a nine foot giant smack-talking a whole army or else a violent storm on the sea. These dangers are real, yes, but in both cases we see an example of confidence, calm in the face of danger. And a challenge, I believe, to have faith in the God who prepared David in all of his years with the sheep, protecting those animals with his slingshot, learning how to take the small smooth stone, and shoot a straight shot. Did David realize all those nights of watchfulness that God was preparing him and equipping him one day to face a giant then to be king over his people? Doubtful. And yet, David's strength was in his faith in the God of Israel.
Similarly, here is Jesus asleep in the boat. It's amazing that he rebuked the sea and calmed the wind with a "Peace! Be still!" but just as amazing is that he kept calm during the storm-so much so that he could sleep even when the wind tossed the boat about and the water sloshed into the sides filling up the vessel.
Each time that General Assembly has convened, there have been controversial issues which were discussed, debated, then voted on. This year is no different. And yet, for me it is different because I'm going to be in the midst of the stormy debate, the gale wind of controversy. But somehow I already feel the buffer against the harsh wind, like Jesus is with me in the safety of the boat. And though we aren't asleep, we're not afraid of the motion of the waves either.
Whatever happens, whatever debate and outcome of our discussion of General Assembly, I know that God is God Almighty, that he truly is bigger than our differences of opinion however heartfelt they feel, and that Jesus will be head of our church today, next week, and the week after that.
Let us pray we will be courageous when we are afraid, be calm when the wind beats strong against the boat, and that we will stand faithfully confident in God's ability in preparing us in our battles.
Blessings,
Jennifer Johnson
*Commissioner*
