One year ago, I preached my last sermon at the church where I was called right before our six-year-old was born. I preached not knowing when I would preach again. I preached not knowing a lot about the journey I was being called on, but knowing that I was being called to reimagine and to trust in the One who was calling.
One year ago, I hardly ever got to hear other preachers preach. This year, I’ve heard so many incredible preachers. Preachers who are standing up and speaking out calling us all back to love. Preachers who are hold the tension between what is and what the gospel promises will be. Preachers who are offering hope even when they are struggling to find hope themselves.
As I’ve listened and learned, I hope these preachers will know that their work is not in vain. The way they wrestle with the text and wrangle words to try to come together to create something meaningful that might be called a word from the Lord is some of the most difficult and most important work right now. These are the words that are inviting transformation and new creation. These are the words that might just change the world.
I hope these incredible preachers also know that they are not alone in the wrestling and the wrangling. I hope in the moments when they wonder, “What can I possibly say?” they know that asking that questions invites the Spirit to do the Spirit’s work in their own hearts and in the hearts of the people who will hear those words.
I’m not sure what the next year will bring, but I know the work of preaching and sharing a good word will always be good and important work.