Joy Overcomes Sorrow

Truth: I have cried a great deal over the last three days. I have felt hopelessness. I have felt sorrow, a deep sorrow. In the middle of this hopelessness and sorrow, I know that G-d was right there with me and I know that God’s heart broke with mine. Just as my tears flowed, I know that Jesus wept.

Today, I decided that I would seek joy, that I would embrace the very people that are being rejected, that I would stand alongside them, in the midst of them and just breathe; being present to people. So I did two things:

1) I went to Paisley Park. This is Prince’s recording studio/sanctuary/home in Chanhassen, MN. When I walked in the gentleman at the door said to me, “Oh, you are going to love this. This is going to mean the world to you. I can see it in your eyes.” He continued to tell me that what he saw in my eyes was something different than any person that walked through that door today.  It was an utter joy and he could see that I knew I was walking on holy ground. It was holy ground because if Prince was nothing else, he was someone who knew who he was and embraced it as best he could, living a meaningful faith that he shared with the world. I cried a bit in this place, but not tears of sorrow. 

2) While I was in Minneapolis for meetings, it also happened to be Pride weekend. Today, I went to The Pride Festival. I did this alone. I took time to listen to people I did not know about their businesses, their stories, and their lives. I had the privilege of listening and the honor speaking words of love and encouragement (a drastic difference from the hate-filled sign holders standing on the outside). I spoke with LGBTQ persons of faith who have been harmed deeply by others and yet have not given up hope in Jesus. And I spoke with some who have been harmed deeply by others and blame Jesus.  I am certain that I walked through this festival with that same look of awe in my eyes as I did walking through the doors of Paisley Park.

Today I sought out holy ground, the ground that Jesus would have sought out had he been there. And it was there that I saw Jesus and it was there that joy overcame sorrow and hope began to silence hopelessness.

I do not have all the answers to the questions of life, but I know the answers, whatever they are, must be rooted in love, if they are to be valid.  We are called to love G-d with all we got and to love people...all people.  I just want to do that. I want to love passionately, unconditionally.  I want the world to know me and my G-d for love. Lord, help me love more deeply, care more passionately, and listen more intensely.  Open me up to your world that you so desperately love.  

Why Chaplaincy?

Source: Unknown

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.  If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."

John 15:9-13                

     

     I was recently given occasion to briefly answer a question -- "Why do you want to be an Army chaplain?" The following was my formal, written response: 

           

     My desire to enter the Army Chaplain Corps is rooted in three central principles that guide my life and shape my identity: family history and tradition, my call to ministry and my core belief to love   G-d and love others without reservation. 

     Growing up I was surrounded by veterans.  My dad and his brother served in the US Navy.  Their dad, a first generation American, served in the US Army before them.  In addition, my maternal grandfather served in the US Navy, as well as many others on that side of the family.  Today, I have nephews who serve or have served in the Navy and the Air Force.  I was blessed to marry a Navy veteran, who also has a rich family history of service to our nation.  These men have modeled to me the value of sacrifice and integrity; not only through their service, but in every aspect of their lives beyond the military.  Through them I learned of the honor it is to love others through military service. My grandfather’s inspiration and influence in my life did not stop at his military stories.  In fact, I do not even remember many because although he was a World War II Veteran, he died at 95 years old believing that he was not a hero.  He could not have been more wrong.  His time spent in service to our country shaped and molded him into the man that would eventually become my grandfather – my hero.  That man, more than any other person in my life, helped to form and nurture my call from the young age of five years old. 

     My call to ministry, like that of many, is a lifelong journey with steady, strong steps and even some quirky, little sidesteps.  Nevertheless, it is a story that has led me to respond affirmatively to the call of being a pastor.  Over the years, I have served in many different ministry contexts, to include anti-trafficking efforts, homeless shelters, street-level ministry, national speaking engagements and local congregations.  All of this was because of foundations that were laid in my life through my grandpa.  I want to reciprocate the love and sacrifice that I have seen by caring for and guiding people.

     As diverse as my ministry contexts have been, there have been two constants in each of them.  The first is that entering into each context was motivated by my deep desire to love  G-d with all that I am, and "to love my neighbor as myself" (Mark 12:30-31, NIV).  This is my core belief.  It is the commandment that Jesus said is above all else.  In the book of John, chapter 15, Jesus is recorded as saying “greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” 

     The second constant of my ministry experience is the presence of Veterans.  No matter the stage I was standing on, the kitchen I was serving food from or the rooms that I have washed feet in, Veterans were present.  Some simply present, listening for whatever reason brought them, but many suffering from loss or trauma that left them addicted, homeless, trafficked, or just needing someone they could trust.  G-d began to break my heart for Soldiers.  I was left asking myself, “Could you love, care for and serve these people who  daily lay down their lives for others? Would you being willing to follow their example and serve them?”

The answer to that question was easy and yet, I am certain the process is going to be one of the most difficult things in my life.  Regardless, I am confident that becoming an Army chaplain will be one of the greatest steps in my journey because it flows from my identity that is rooted in my family history and tradition, my call to ministry and my core belief to love G-d and love others without reservation.