By Rev. Canon Val Kenyon
Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18, 19
Have you ever noticed that sometimes we begin new things because we have to (the last two years in Covid gives us lots of examples of this), and sometimes we begin new things because we are inspired to do so?
While we may or may not think of ourselves as particularly creative, if we take our direction from Scripture, we are indeed creations of a creative God, sharing God’s Creator nature and ultimately created in God’s image. As we open ourselves to God’s Spirit working in our lives, we listen, we watch, we pay attention to those aspects of life both around us and within us for insights, wisdom, and knowledge. In simplest terms, we intentionally give ourselves to making room in our lives, in our thoughts, and in our imaginings to see just where and how these new things may be aching to spring forth; a new way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, music to our ears in challenging times.
As we intentionally put ourselves in the way of God’s Spirit, that is what it is to make space in our lives. Ultimately the effort is not so much about our trying our hardest, but rather the effort is focused on our letting go of the old. To be able to embrace the new thing, that God will bring along. I just need a free hand to grab onto it. Never easy to be sure, but there it is.
While the quote below by John O’Donohue from To Bless the Space Between Us, is referencing retirement, it felt that these words could also be applied to those times in our lives we are practicing this letting go of the old to have space for the new, as we are always invited by God’s Spirit to explore who and whose we are in God more fully.
You stand on the shore of new invitation
To open your life to what is left undone;
Let your heart enjoy a different rhythm
When drawn to the wonder of other horizons.
Have the courage for a new approach to time.
At Education for Ministry (EfM) each week in our preparation for our times together and in our actual meetings, a large part of what we are undertaking is making space for this transformative work to happen.
Should this be something that you would like to explore in more detail, we will be holding one more virtual Open House where you can learn more about Education for Ministry and what might await you there on Tuesday, June 7 at 7pm.
If this date, time, or format do not work for you, please reach out at any time to hear more about EfM within the Diocese of Huron. Either Libi Clifford, the Diocese of Huron EfM Coordinator or myself Val Kenyon, Huron’s EfM Animator at valeriekenyon@diohuron.org would be pleased to hear from you.
Rev. Canon Dr. Val Kenyon is EFM Animator in Huron.