Saving the World

I went out for dinner with some people from the tri club the other night. These gatherings (and workouts for that matter) are always hard for me to go too – it is another thing I do on my own – and although I am outgoing in my work – it is sometimes hard to continue to do in my personal time.

Anyway – during dinner the wife of the ironman coach got up to leave for church. So the conversation turned to the subject of church and faith for this couple. After a few minutes the coach turned to a conversation with a few people sitting at the other end of the table and a woman who I had met earlier in the evening made a comment about me being a pastor. Well . . . that set a few others at the table off about how that was so great and I must be so proud of that (blah blah blah).

Frankly, although I am glad for my “profession” it is not something that I would announce – anymore than someone who is a teacher or a mechanical engineer or a CFO. Actually - there are many situations in which I try to turn the focus from what I “do” because I am not sure if I am “up” for the reactions. And this evening in particular when it was hard to get myself to be open enough to go out to dinner with a group of people that I did not know . . .

So I was very frank about my hesitation in telling people – and why – and this woman sitting across from me again said, “Why? You should be so proud and so glad. What you do is so important. It matters to people. It’s not like you are just working at the corner store or something – You’re making a difference. You are changing the world!”

Well what do you say to that!!!!

My first reaction was to graciously agree – “yes I am proud to do what I do, and yes it does make a difference” – saying nothing about changing the world – really we all do that – but before I could get anything else out the questions started to pour about women in the church and faith and scripture and differences between men and women . . . I was so grateful for the focus moving away from me – and impressed with the thoughtfulness and intelligence of these people sitting around me . . .

As I reflect back on those comments – I realize that there was a lot of power for me there. This was a blessing – this woman was blessing me . . .

In a “humble” response, I would comment that we all change the world – I am only playing my small part. It just happens to be more visible and vocal than others, even the person who works at the “corner store” is making a difference

In a “grateful” response, I would again comment on the pride that this woman gave me in what I get to do. I do get to make a difference. It is my privilege to tell the stories of where God is active in the world and give people language and hope in that vision.

In an “indebted” response it is a great weight and responsibility to have that expectation placed upon the occupation of pastor.

And again – a blessing – I get to be a part of changing the world!