15 We who are powerful need to be patient with the weakness of those who don’t have power, and not please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good in order to build them up. 3 Christ didn’t please himself, but, as it is written, The insults of those who insulted you fell on me.[a] 4 Whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction so that we could have hope through endurance and through the encouragement of the scriptures. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude toward each other, similar to Christ Jesus’ attitude. 6 That way you can glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ together with one voice.
Reflection
As a learned Jewish leader and apostle, Paul frequently quoted from the Psalms. In Romans 15 he quoted Psalm 69 referencing a prayer for help. This verse not only referenced an unknown psalmist but Jesus the Christ. Both the unknown psalmist and Christ suffered not from sinfulness but from faithfulness. Being faithful is not necessarily the easiest path to follow. I
especially resonate with Paul’s advice: Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”
I entered seminary with the goal of becoming ordained as a United Methodist Elder, appointed by our Bishop to serve a local church. During my time at Drew Theological School God planted seeds for a different type of ministry within the church, a ministry of peace with justice, of love and service. I felt called to passionately work for those the world call “the least,
the last, and the lost.” How that would happen, I did not know.
Amid many voices from people who did not understand my decision, I began my ministry as a lay person and would have remained a lay servant if the United Methodist General Conference had not made a decision in 1996 to ordain Deacons as a unique call to ministry, separate but equal to that of an Elder. Through thirty years of ministry, I was guided and called to a variety of amazing settings and most of them were not the easiest path to follow, but I would not change a thing about my journey. I had opportunities I never could have dreamed would be possible when I was in seminary. Many people questioned my decision to not pursue ordination as an Elder in 1990 but God guided me faithfully through a journey of service, love and justice, and eventually ordination in 1997, for which I will forever be thankful.
by Kathleen Stolz
For Pondering and Prayer
Success does not always look like what we imagined it would. One of the paths we took probably looked like a failure to some folks and yet in my heart I can see that the hand of God guided us safely into the future.
As you have journeyed through life what decisions have you made that were unexpected, maybe going against the advice of friends or family members? Think back to one or two of those decisions and contemplate the hand of God guiding you through the unexpected decision rather than following the easier choice.
Prayer: Loving Lord, we give you all praise and glory for the guidance you have given us as we journey through life. Sometimes we travel the road less traveled and find ourselves stumbling or losing our way, but you are always there to catch us and to bring us safely home. When all signs point in the opposite direction help us to hear your voice urging us toward the best decision. Amen.