The Call
*Picture taken of the Lord’s Supper Table at Virginia Theological Seminary
The Call
The call of the priest is to watch and wait
For where Spirit will speak anew
And to open her mouth
When Spirit gives something to say
To listen, respond, contribute
To voices (one voice)
Forming the Church
Chipping away
To uncover, restore
God’s image in the beloved whole.
I wrote the above poem during one of my Doctorate of Ministry classes a couple years ago. Dean Ross was speaking to my cohort of nervous leaders—most if not all wrestling with imposter's syndrome, wondering "How did I get into this doctoral program?"
But as I looked around the room, and over the course of my summer residency, I was confident in God pulling each of us further into work we had already said yes to—a school director, teacher, priests, hospice chaplain, rector exploring the spirituality in his Indigenous roots, and me, a writer.
Today, I continue to see God raising up leaders all around me for the work of healing and reconciliation, justice and advocacy—across sectors and spheres.
The call isn't just for a select few. We each have a role in contributing our gifts and abilities to uncover, restore, God's image in the beloved whole.
Our gifts are a balm to the world's wounds. They are needed.
What is your balm? Is anything holding you back from offering your source of healing? When being asked to participate in new ways, you may find yourself feeling like I did, as well as many leaders before you—not ready, ill-equipped, and unworthy.
But pressing further into your unique work of healing and reconciliation (big or small, public or private) isn't an invitation to say no to. It is a calling—deep crying out to deep. Spirit giving voice to the world's needs, and the Spirit in you responding.