Savoring the Season
by Caitlin Trussell, Pinnacle West Associate
My stepfather, Pops, would tell the teenaged me that I was wishing my life away when I’d say I couldn’t wait for a future event like prom, graduation, and my birthday or I couldn’t wait for a hard thing to be over. Pops’ wisdom is most certainly true. Wishing for whatever comes next means missing what’s happening now. And I encouraged my congregation to remember well this season of church life together.
In a season of staff transitions, wishing it away would mean missing gratitude for staff whose ministry work has also shaped us just as those soon to join us will do the same. Retirements, relocations, and reimagining vocations are worth celebrating even amid the bittersweet evolutions. Life IS change. Living it fully in the midst of challenge takes all of us working together as the church.
It’s tempting to wish away time when the season is a challenging one. But each of our congregations are the church today—learning from our mistakes and celebrating the gifts given to us right now. Sometimes it’s hard to see the gifts amid our flaws or the distracting details of church life. Our faith promises that spiritual gifts are present by the power of the Holy Spirit. Pausing to breathe (rather than panic) helps us slow our thinking to see what’s possible through the obstacles.
Lent continues for those of us in liturgical traditions, as we set our hearts and minds on Jesus Christ and him crucified. It’s a season of quiet hope and surrender to the One who is with us through cultural upheavals and congregational change, the One who draws us to faith and reveals life in every season.
