How puzzling, that we who traffic publicly in the Gospel which speaks powerfully to our identity in Christ, still feel so confused about who we really are. By nature we watch for identity clues from the earth-bound sides of life—including the ministries and churches where we labor.
We’ve heard the inner voices: “Who am I, when…
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Those receiving my teaching/preaching respond with thumbs up or down?
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My ministry role becomes surprisingly visible, or invisible?
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My husband stands before the eyes of crowds, as my role is to herd OUR children into the room where he is in the spotlight?
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The team I work with gives high fives all day…or fragments into competing turfs?
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Children are born into our home, or cannot be, or grow up and leave, or cause my spouse and me deep pain?
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Supporters’ expectations of our mission-plant’s numeric growth are unrealistically high, despite our 24/7 efforts?
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Unexpected or unwanted role change is pressed upon me? …the list goes on…
Roles, responsibilities, and relationships are fluid, even chaotic. They are context for living out identity, but cannot give it. We’ve read God’s Biblical promise, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Isaiah 43.1) We’ve rehearsed the catechism’s declaration of our Baptismal identity. YES! But how can such a promise enter into our reality?
In that spirit, our Texas District has committed to provide workers and families personalized care in the flesh (even if it’s the “digital” flesh of a Zoom call). Counseling Care (Jim Otte – jotte@txlcms.org). Coaching Care (https://txlcms.org/texas-
Why wait?
By John Messmann