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May 2005
Blossom
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May 2005
Blossom
In the yard at our home, we have thirty five to forty white dogwood trees. I've been watching them intently because when they are in bloom they are a sight to behold. The landscape comes alive with color. White blossoms set within the framework of green grass and newly developing leaves on the nearby trees is more than a picture can capture. It is a work of art!
What I have been describing is what the scene will be, not what I have been observing for the last two months. What I have watched has been the development of a scene yet to come. The observable process has been slow in developing. Before anything noticeable happens the tree awakens and begins to put forth reddened tips to the branches. Then a nodule appears on the tips of the reddened branches. These nodules look like lumps glued on the tree limbs. Very slowly these nodules begin to unfold. This process is not very pretty. The opening nodules are the newly developing blossoms. They are immature, green, and poorly developed, only a hint of the beauty that is yet to come.
It is easy to grow impatient with this developing landscape. Each day I look at the trees, actually several times each day I look at the trees! My frequent looks have not impacted in any way the speed with which this work of art unfolds. Begrudgingly, I must acknowledge my role: I am an observer, not a partner in creating the blossoms that will unfold to reveal this annual masterpiece. If I have any task whatsoever it is to be patient as the process unfolds. Which means while I am not in the picture, I am, by actively observing the process, a part of the drama. While the scene develops I must be patient, but patience does not mean nothing is happening to me. I am caught up in the process. I see what is happening and, even though I am forced to learn patience, my excitement is growing.
I feel very much the same way about the community of faith we call Central United Methodist Church. There is significant evidence of an awakening among us, a certain reddening of some of the branches. Indicators suggest that something beautiful is in the making. Clearly, renewal is going to bring changes and what we will become is yet to be fully known. However, what we can see tells us God is calling us to new life, to blossom, to become something new upon the landscape of our region. As your pastor I am watching this process develop, wanting it to move faster, blossom more rapidly. But, again, I know from the dogwood trees that observation brings excitement even while demanding patience.
Central has not yet blossomed! You may find that incredible but I know it is true. Our long history does not in any way reflect that our best days are past. God brings an awakening for a reason. I believe that reason is to bring glory to God by changing the landscape of our region. God is calling us to face forward...to anticipate new developments, to see new a new scene develop. It may be a long time before the first blossom appears, but, when we know God has awakened us to be something yet to happen, does that not create excitement?
Pastorally observing,
David