The assurance of a God whose presence never fails

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Beloved in Christ in the Rocky Mountain Synod,

I’ve been spending this week in a “New Bishop’s Formation” class – affectionately know as “Baby Bishop’s School." This class is held annually for anyone who has been elected to serve as an ELCA synodical bishop.  This year my classmates include

• Ann Svennungsen – Minneapolis Area Synod 
• Brian Maas – Nebraska Synod
• Shelly Wickstom– Alaska Synod
• Jim Hazelwood – New England Synod

During the course of four days, we have had the opportunity to meet with Presiding Bishop Hanson and members of the Synodical Relations team. We’ve had wonderful conversation with fellow bishops, some of whom have been designated to serve as our mentors, including Bishop Steve Talmage of the Grand Canyon Synod, my mentor.  We’ve shared call stories as well as stories of faith and life.  During our time together we’ve heard words of wisdom and words of encouragement. All of our conversation has been framed by times of prayer and worship.


One phrase that has been repeated more than once during the course of this week has caught my attention:  Your life will never be the same again. 

Your life will never be the same again … 

It’s true enough – entering this call is a life changing event.  Yet how many other people’s lives have been changed by circumstances during this one week as well?  I can’t help but think of the countless people whose lives have been suddenly altered by wildfires sweeping throughout the Rocky Mountain Synod, destroying property and homes.  I think of people who in the last days have heard a diagnosis of cancer, or who have lost a loved one.  Or what about those who are preparing to marry this weekend?  Or the ones welcoming a new adopted child?  These are all game changers. 

Your life will never be the same again … 

It took me a while to realize it, but it’s not just the big events of life that change everything.  In reality, very day is a game changer.  Every day is filled with irrevocable endings as well as completely new moments that not only have the potential to change us, but actually do alter the course of our lives. A word, an action, a decision – intentional or random – is all it takes.  The problem is that we tend not to recognize such game changing moments unless they burn as brightly as the fires that are transforming the landscape of the West.   

For those of us who seek some source of consistency in life, it is important to be reminded that such consistency is not to be found in our lives’ experiences.  The only certainty on which we can finally count is the unshakeable presence of Holy Love and Grace – incarnate in Christ and most visible to us in the very midst of life’s chances and changes.  It takes the surprising form of veteran bishops willing to mentor their new colleagues, neighbors willing to receive a family made homeless by fire.   
The assurance of a God whose presence never fails – this is indeed good news each time we are confronted with the daily truth that life indeed will never be the same again.


Yours in Faith, 
Jim Gonia, Bishop Elect

Comments

Wendyos said…
Your Blog made prefect timing for this unnerving week. We have been blessed not to have fires near us, but can happen at any time.

God Bless all those effected by the fires and ALL those fighting the fires. They work very long days.

Thank you for your words of wisdom.
6:46 PM
Wendyos said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
6:47 PM
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