It is with some sadness that I have informed Standing Committee of my decision to resign as diocesan manager. Sadness because there is still much work to be done, and because of the great group of people that I have worked alongside over the last 21 months.
I am thankful for the time that I have spent as part of the Anglican Centre and for shared journeys with many of you in the parishes. I believe that the diocese is heading for a season of growth, and I wish you every blessing for the future.
However, a new adventure in Wellington now awaits and I am looking forward to our next season serving God in the capital.
Here’s my devotional reflecting on that sense of sadness.
When Juliet says goodnight to Romeo she is saying that their parting is sorrowful because she will miss him – but why is it sweet? It’s sweet because she is looking forward with anticipation to the next time that they will meet.
When Jesus left the disciples, there was plenty of sorrow, but they did not seem to anticipate the next time that they would meet.
In Mark 16:10 Mary Magdalene, having discovered the empty tomb and having been told by an angel that Jesus is risen, immediately rushes to tell the disciples. When she gets to them, they’re mourning and weeping. Full of sorrow. And even when they heard that Jesus was alive, they did not believe it. There was no anticipation.
Earlier, prior to his crucifixion, Jesus had told the disciples that he would be leaving them and said, “You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Thomas’ answer? “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus had consistently taught from the Scriptures about the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15), about death and resurrection (John 11:25-26) and eternal life (John 10:28).
So, Thomas should have known that he would see Jesus again. The disciples that Mary Magdalene spoke to after finding the empty tomb were mourning and weeping should have known they would see Jesus again. The two disciples who didn’t recognise Jesus on the road to Emmaus should have known that they would see Jesus again.
As Cat and I move to another city to start a new adventure, we may not see some people again. There is genuine sadness because the church family is our family, and Nelson has been our home for a long time. However, our parting is sweet because we live in anticipation: even if we do not see you again in Nelson, we will see you again in the kingdom of heaven.
And that is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Everyone who believes in him shall have eternal life. Now that is something to anticipate!
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
It is with some sadness that I have informed Standing Committee of my decision to resign as diocesan manager. Sadness because there is still much work to be done, and because of the great group of people that I have worked alongside over the last 21 months.
I am thankful for the time that I have spent as part of the Anglican Centre and for shared journeys with many of you in the parishes. I believe that the diocese is heading for a season of growth, and I wish you every blessing for the future.
However, a new adventure in Wellington now awaits and I am looking forward to our next season serving God in the capital.
Here’s my devotional reflecting on that sense of sadness.
When Juliet says goodnight to Romeo she is saying that their parting is sorrowful because she will miss him – but why is it sweet? It’s sweet because she is looking forward with anticipation to the next time that they will meet.
When Jesus left the disciples, there was plenty of sorrow, but they did not seem to anticipate the next time that they would meet.
In Mark 16:10 Mary Magdalene, having discovered the empty tomb and having been told by an angel that Jesus is risen, immediately rushes to tell the disciples. When she gets to them, they’re mourning and weeping. Full of sorrow. And even when they heard that Jesus was alive, they did not believe it. There was no anticipation.
Earlier, prior to his crucifixion, Jesus had told the disciples that he would be leaving them and said, “You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Thomas’ answer? “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus had consistently taught from the Scriptures about the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15), about death and resurrection (John 11:25-26) and eternal life (John 10:28).
So, Thomas should have known that he would see Jesus again. The disciples that Mary Magdalene spoke to after finding the empty tomb were mourning and weeping should have known they would see Jesus again. The two disciples who didn’t recognise Jesus on the road to Emmaus should have known that they would see Jesus again.
As Cat and I move to another city to start a new adventure, we may not see some people again. There is genuine sadness because the church family is our family, and Nelson has been our home for a long time. However, our parting is sweet because we live in anticipation: even if we do not see you again in Nelson, we will see you again in the kingdom of heaven.
And that is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Everyone who believes in him shall have eternal life. Now that is something to anticipate!
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
