Sarah, after 40 years of pastoral ministry I entered the new land of retirement in May of 2023. I then suffered a the new land of a terrible fall in September of 2023 that required surgery of a deep hematoma needing to wear a wound vacuum for over two months and it took until April of 2024 for the wound to completely heal. Mentally and emotionally I feel like I’ve been wandering in the wilderness. I know God can be trusted and He has been so faithful and merciful to my wife and me but I’m struggling with feelings of disorientation having been the lead guy with a lot of influence and purpose. That’s a long ramble but your words in this message have been so helpful to me. Thank you.
Steve, you are such an encourager to many! In the midst of this season of wandering in wilderness, you take time to encourage the rest of us. That totally makes sense about the disorientation as a leader. Thanks for sharing this. Lighting a candle for you today with prayer that Jesus will meet you and your wife in a fresh way.
Powerful. “What I actually meant was--I will hold onto my old identity and community, and won’t let go.” Ouch. This is convicting and encouraging. Fear of letting go Of the old and pressing on towards what’s ahead, the unknown. I feel the tension of the security of the known and the security of my God who never changes, and whose every aspect of his character is available to me at every moment.
Sarah, after 40 years of pastoral ministry I entered the new land of retirement in May of 2023. I then suffered a the new land of a terrible fall in September of 2023 that required surgery of a deep hematoma needing to wear a wound vacuum for over two months and it took until April of 2024 for the wound to completely heal. Mentally and emotionally I feel like I’ve been wandering in the wilderness. I know God can be trusted and He has been so faithful and merciful to my wife and me but I’m struggling with feelings of disorientation having been the lead guy with a lot of influence and purpose. That’s a long ramble but your words in this message have been so helpful to me. Thank you.
Steve, you are such an encourager to many! In the midst of this season of wandering in wilderness, you take time to encourage the rest of us. That totally makes sense about the disorientation as a leader. Thanks for sharing this. Lighting a candle for you today with prayer that Jesus will meet you and your wife in a fresh way.
Thank you Sarah.
Powerful. “What I actually meant was--I will hold onto my old identity and community, and won’t let go.” Ouch. This is convicting and encouraging. Fear of letting go Of the old and pressing on towards what’s ahead, the unknown. I feel the tension of the security of the known and the security of my God who never changes, and whose every aspect of his character is available to me at every moment.
You said that so well. The tension between known & God. thank you!!