As you read this, we now know the result of the election for Bishop of the Synod of Alberta and the Territories. To get there, a new process of discernment and nominations was used that invited people across Canada to engage in scripture and conversation together in times of leadership transition. It is a new process for us all. Rather than delegates receiving a blank paper, instead, we ground our thinking in God’s word and in prayer. In doing so, we hope that we are listening to what God desires as opposed to human plans and ambitions.
God reminded the prophet Nathan that King David, although being king, was not the one responsible to build a house for God. God was not interested in being contained and had other ideas of what establishing a “house” meant. God had already been at work shaping a land and a people long before David thought of getting out a hammer.
We still understand God to be working in our lives today. God is shaping good things, security, belonging, communities and more, long before we catch a glimpse of what is going on. Our work is to not get ahead of God, but to join in what God is already doing.
God, apprentice us in building your kingdom. Amen. —