8 Rather, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Reflection
As we come to the close of our devotional questions for the series on SEEKING, our last reflection is this: “How will you know when you have found what you are looking for?” There is no single, easy answer to that very personal question, but today’s scripture can enlighten us. The earliest followers of Jesus were contemplating the same question as they looked for their own connections to God through Jesus the Christ. As today’s scripture tells us, each follower of Jesus is called to be a “witness.” Many of us refer to this as “a call to ministry.” The search for answers is buried within our own uniquely personal journey when the Spirit nudges us from contemplation into action; and from action into contemplation!
As I reflected on the question and the scripture this week my own answer started to come to me through the chorus of U-2’s song from their Joshua Tree album: “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.”
I have climbed the highest mountains, I have run through the fields
Only to be with you, Only to be with you.
I have run, I have crawled I have scaled these city walls,
Only to be with you. But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.
The UMC has been my spiritual home from early childhood through eighth grade Confirmation and adulthood for which I am forever thankful. I have been nurtured by supportive pastors and congregations through the years. I was blessed to work with various mentors who shared my passion for youth and justice ministries. My own call to ministry happened in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1982. Children and youth were the focus of my
attention as I was drawn to Peace with Justice within the Protestant/Catholic “Troubles.” The Holy Spirit led me into uncharted waters seeking new opportunities throughout my thirty years in ordained ministry. Still the question persists “How will I know when I have found what I am looking for?”
by Kathleen Stolz
For Pondering and Prayer
Through the years the Spirit has nudged me both through Action and Contemplation. I began by leading youth mission trips and summer Vacation Bible Schools, then by teaching Adult Disciple Bible studies and serving on the Conference staff and eventually retiring as Associate Pastor from Medford UMC. I have been led from serving in very active ministry into a more contemplative ministry. It no longer is about what I am DOING (my actions) but rather who I am BEING (my contemplations) in any given moment. I find myself answering this very personal question with the response that the search is never-ending, until we meet God face to face, until we are united with the Spirit completely. Until then, we meet God in the face of a child, in the rhythm of ocean waves, in the wildfires of destruction, in walks around our neighborhood, in food being collected by churches and distributed at local soup kitchens, and countless other moments.
My journey to meet God face to face continues to be answered as I contemplate and act with the inspiration of Holy Spirit.
What about you?
How are Action and Contemplation helping YOU answer this question?
Prayer: Active and Contemplative Spirit, thank you for your constant presence and guidance. When you call me to action, I run where you are sending me. When you settle me in contemplation, I stop and listen for your guidance. As I pause in prayer, I reflect on your presence every day of my life and give thanks. Amen.
