16-17 Jacob woke up from his sleep. He said, “God is in this place—truly. And I didn’t even know it!” He was terrified. He whispered in awe, “Incredible. Wonderful. Holy. This is God’s House. This is the Gate of Heaven.”
18-19 Jacob was up first thing in the morning. He took the stone he had used for his pillow and stood it up as a memorial pillar and poured oil over it. He christened the place Bethel (God’s House). The name of the town had been Luz until then.
20-22 Jacob vowed a vow: “If God stands by me and protects me on this journey on which I’m setting out, keeps me in food and clothing, and brings me back in one piece to my father’s house, this God will be my God. This stone that I have set up as a memorial pillar will mark this as a place where God lives. And everything you give me, I’ll return a tenth to you.”
Reflection
This week our MUMC kids are getting to experience “Camp Firelight,” this year’s Vacation Bible School adventure. The theme for the week is Psalm 56:3 and learning to trust God. Our first lesson is Jacob’s dream at Bethel – Trust God to Go with Us
A new adventure is exciting! And daunting! We’ve all had steps we’ve needed to take into a new phase of our lives that create a mix of emotions good and bad. When I have faced these moments, I’ve tried to listen to my heart, do my best, and trust that God would fill in the rest. It’s especially scary when someone else has more faith in you than you have in yourself.
In the summer of 2014, I was working at Wanakee UMC when I was approached by the District Superintendent at the time, Pastor Dave, and longtime friend, Pastor Phil. They thought I would be a good lay supply pastor for a nearby church. I had just graduated college and didn’t have a teaching job yet, so I thought, why not? I didn’t mind taking a leap of faith when I knew Phil would be leaping with me.
Phil presented me to the Staff Parish Relations Committee for an interview which ended up a bit of a disaster. The chair had strong reservations about this transition; they wanted Phil, not me sponsored by Phil. Then on my first day preaching the lay leader took me aside and said she was officially resigning. On the same day my secretary said she needed to step back from her duties to focus on her health. I had no idea what had transpired in this church… but my arrival was NOT welcome.
I wish there had been a dream for me like there was for Jacob. Phil and another pastor, Dwight, (both of whom were like grandfathers to me) were thrilled for me and they had all the faith that I would do amazing things in this church. I was scared, but I trusted them and trusted God to fill in the rest.
There were certainly some ups and downs. I assume some divine intervention here or there because now I look back and think, I was just a kid! I had no clue what I was doing most of the time! I ended up staying for two years. I don’t know if anything I did was amazing but we certainly did some good. I know I had an impact on at least a handful of lives and that’s something to be proud of.
by Ashley Bowler
For Pondering and Prayer
Have you ever felt like someone else had more faith in you than you did?
Was their faith enough to bolster yours to try something new?
Prayer:
Dear God, Sometimes it feels like You give us more credit than we deserve. You present us with an opportunity that seems daunting, but knowing that You go with us gives us confidence. Thank you for the people around us who demonstrate your confidence and support in our lives. Amen.
