Recently I took a day of solitude; a spiritual discipline which I engage in from time to time in order to keep focused and listen to God. This was a particularly foggy day, and as I was walking through the woods, I came to an open area with a sign which read “scenic overlook.” As I approached the sign, I found myself laughing as you really couldn’t see more than a dozen yards through the thick cloud which had descended. So, I stopped and stood peering over the cliff, imagining about what it must look like in the distance. It had to be so very beautiful.
In some ways, I feel my visit on the overlook, brings “clarity” to the type of year we have been through together. We have faced many challenges together of ongoing pandemic, isolation, distance, and differing experiences of community life. At times life felt confusing, and it has been difficult to navigate beyond just a few yards, wondering what might lie ahead of us. Sometimes the way seemed arduous and slow going, and yet when we look back, it truly is amazing how far we have come. The word that seems to come to mind is “miracle.”
We truly are blessed as a church, and there are many throughout 2021 who stepped up, sometimes in challenging roles to keep the ministries of the church moving forward. Throughout the year, we were able to maintain multiple venues of worship, meet the challenges of keeping our facility safe, continue in the ministry of making disciples, develop new ministries for caring for our community and church, the merging of two churches, continuing to support the start of a new church work in Gloucester County, as well as see significant upgrades to our building, which included a much-needed new roof. This is evidence of God’s faithfulness as He continues to bless Ashland Church, as we keep focus on the vision and mission given to us, and I am thankful for those who sacrificed so much, working and leading even when we couldn’t aways see our path as clearly as we would like.
When I stood on the edge of that overlook, envisioning the beauty of the things which existed beyond where my view would allow, there were evidences not seen which allowed me to develop a picture in my mind. For one thing, I had stood in that very place before, and marveled at God’s creation, carrying these memories like screenshots I didn’t want to forget. Also, I could hear the sound of a swift flowing river, its water streaming over and around rocks. In life and ministry, we don’t always see what is in front of us, yet when I remember our church, I think of you all. I’m reminded of how I’ve watched you reach out to one another when was someone hurting, how you laugh together sharing and celebrating joy, our occasions of worship and singing out the praises to our Lord, simply taking seriously Jesus’ command to “Love one another.” God has placed a generous love in the people of Ashland, and you are the evidences of what God has created, and it is so very beautiful.
It’s Great to be your Pastor,
Jamie