"Go from your country..."

A challenge I find on Sundays is that I have already written my sermon and explored the texts, so my mind goes to what I am about to preach.

So, as I try to compartmentalize about what I will be preaching on this Second Sunday of Lent, I am drawn to the Genesis reading and God's command to Abraham to, "Go from your country..." And this is a completely personal and selfish reflection. Pastoral ministry, at least in the years of my formation, almost always required one to "Go from your country..."

My ministry travels have taken me to Berkeley, CA, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, Concord, CA, Pacifica, CA, Clinton, WI, Dubuque, IA, Loves Park, IL, Rockford, IL, Durand, IL, and now to Phillips and Smith Counties in Kansas. All these places from someone who is a third-generation Arizonan, who initially served the state of Arizona for seven years, and who could not imagine anything that would entice him to leave. In fact, when I am honest with myself, the prospect of leaving Arizona probably delayed my call to Word and sacrament ministry by five years.

Those going through ordained ministry now often have more choices to serve from where they come from than did I. But if I had not left and followed the Holy Spirit's call to ministry, I would not have fallen in love with Kathy, I would not have been blessed with a wonderful child, and I would not have met the variety of people that my journeys have brought me. I wonder if Abraham had similar remanences.

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