It is a high calling to be a pastor. I love most of what I do daily, but I really love it when I get the opportunity to minister to people in the milestones of their lives. Last week was one of those rare weeks when I was part of the full spectrum of life. I was a part of a beginning and an end and believe me, it was an honor.
Alice* came to us about eight months ago. Her mother came first, slipping into the back of church to pray for her very sick daughter. Alice then called to say that she and her sister wanted to be baptized. Julie and I met with them and their mother on a weekday. They explained that they were very private people and wanted to keep all discussions private. We talked about their faith in Jesus, how they loved him and wanted to be His followers. They confessed their need for a new life and their need for a rebirth. We then proceeded to baptize them. At the time Alice was ambulatory, but very thin and fragile with a hat on to cover her loss of hair. It was a beautiful time, an intimate time with them. Then Alice entered the hospital.
I regularly was called by her family to go and pray for her. I met with her mother, sisters and brothers. All of them were hopeful that God would heal her of her cancer. They asked me if I believed that she would be healed. I explained that I believed God could heal Alice, but I had not received any sense or communication that God would heal her. So we continued to pray. I went and saw her on Saturday. She was not conscious and her breathing was labored. I prayed that she would have peace and be received by Jesus' open arms when her body failed her. Alice's mother was afraid that Alice would get lost on the way to Christ. We read some scripture and prayed. Alice's mother was in tears because of her new found assurance that her daughter would be OK.
I got the call, Sunday during church worship, while I was giving the word to our community. I saw the number come up, not once but four times and I knew, Alice was with Jesus. The family, a strong, private, traditional Chinese family asked me to conduct the service. I was honored and nervous. I leaned heavily upon the Spirit to Guide me. I read from Matthew 20 and John 3 to remind the family of our hope in Jesus' grace. It was a precious funeral, too soon for Alice, but God got us through and the message of hope was received with joy.
Then the next Sunday I was asked to baptize Ava. She is the second daughter of Julie and Jason Satterwhite. She is a beautiful little girl loved by her parents and her big sister. As I poured the water on her head, the sacrament symbolizing her entering into the new covenant with her Creator, I could not help but be filled with joy and hope. My hope that Ava will never be afraid, will never feel alone, will never fear, but be strong and courageous. Unlike Alice, Alice's mom, me and many of you, Ava has a chance to begin her journey in the grace and love of Jesus. The joy that I felt was from knowing that Ava will know from the very beginning that she is God's precious child, beloved. She will one day have to wrestle with her call and her life, but she will be surrounded by a cloud of witnesses that will remind her of His love.
It is a great responsibility and honor to be a pastor. It is a life filled with specific challenges. But it is a life filled with great opportunity to witness the hand of God working in and through the life of his bride, the Church. I am thankful to be a part of it.
Peace
Edwin *Not her real name
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