Devotion: July 30, 2023

Dear Friends,
Nearly forty years ago God called me to be a pastor, and this coming Sunday I will be completing this call after serving four Presbyterian churches in Kansas, Indiana and Illinois.  It’s been quite a journey–and one that I’ve been so very blessed to have Deb, my wife and colleague and the love of my soul, walking with me every step of the way.  And now the time has come to set aside this call to take up a new one:  the call to retirement as Deb and I relocate to Batavia, IL.

As members of Christ’s body, each one of us has been given a call to love and serve the Lord through loving others with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and forgiveness.  Each one of us has been given unique gifts of grace to do this: gifts to be and become the unique persons God made us to be, with irreplaceable opportunities no one else is meant to fulfill.

What are the colors of your life’s purpose?  What is the song God’s calling you to sing?  Can you envision what you’re being called to do or be at this point in your journey?  Are you ready to open the invitation?  Can you imagine the steps ahead?

None of us can know every turn of the path before us–before we start walking upon it.  We can only walk in hope, relying on faith.  But what a glorious hope we’ve been called to!  One Lord who will never leave us; one Faith to hold fast; one Love which never comes to an end

I am grateful to God for each and for all of you who have, like team cyclists, shared this road with me.  Sometimes I’ve been pulling you, but most times you’ve been pulling me!  Like a peloton in echelon, we’ve weathered wind and rain together, made some difficult ascents, and flown downhill with exhilaration, tucked joyfully over our handlebars.  Now the time has come for me to take a road less-traveled, looking for sunny days ahead.  But whatever roads await me–I will carry you in my heart.

I leave you with these words of blessing by William Sloane Coffin:

-Pastor Clint