December Reflections From Shana Dry

Remember being a child and Christmas Eve finally arriving and you were filled with so much excitement you just couldn’t stand it? The presents were wrapped and under the Christmas tree but you wouldn’t dare open one before Christmas morning.

So you went to bed and counted sheep and just hoped for morning to come soon.
Even as an adult we find waiting to be difficult. We expect everything to be at our fingertips the moment we have the desire for it.

It’s a world we’re growing into and it’s addicting. We live in a world of easy downloads, instantaneous email, on demand and food prepared in a few minutes. Yet God finds ways of making us wait. Waiting and faith go hand-in-hand. Waiting has been a big part of my life lately.

As most of you know, the Board of Ordained Ministry told me last Spring to wait a while and try again for commissioning. I was so disappointed and heartbroken. I will admit I almost gave up. I knew my call in life, I just thought that the Board of Ordained Ministry didn’t understand my call.

BOY WAS I WRONG! This is where my faith stepped in.
I worked through the summer on my relationship with God and on claiming my faith. I have always had faith but taking some time to evaluate my life and my call I was able to reclaim that faith and talk about that it to the Board just last month and was blessed with approval by all. I will be commissioned at annual conference in May.
Advent is a time of faith and waiting. What are you waiting on God for this year? Remember the years of silence as God’s people waited for the Messiah. I want to ask you to take time today, right now, to reflect on the fact that God’s timing is quite different from ours.
Are you struggling with a lack of faith? That’s OK. It doesn’t take much faith to get God’s attention.
Jesus encouraged his frustrated followers in Matthew 17:20 this way: “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you”.
I know that nothing seems to be appearing on the horizon today, but just wait! God always keeps his promises, even to those who have little faith. Just wait.
As scripture states;
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14).
I’m looking forward to this Advent season with all of you and sharing in our faith and waiting on the celebration of the birth of Christ our King.

God Loves You and So Do I,

Pastor Shana