Today was the last Sunday morning
worship service in which my former intern would be with us; prior to assuming
her first fulltime ministry position.
"Bridgette," had
previously finished her undergrad degree in religious studies at Fullmeyer University, and completed her graduate degree at the same institution in the
past several months. And in the last several days, this young lady has been
contracted to serve as a field representative in a well-known, international ministry.
It so happened that Bridgette and I were
scheduled to participant in this morning’s worship service; I as a vocal soloist,
and she as a solo pianist. And it so happened, (considering this is the last
Sunday before Thanksgiving) that each of us had independently chosen, _____________ as our musical selection.
As I recall, Bridgette played, (and played
quite well) during the offertory, and I “took the stage” just before the pastor
was scheduled to speak.
As yours truly stepped behind the
pulpit, as I sometimes do I prefixed my song with a few topical words.
“Well, we’re going to miss Bridgette. This
young lady first came to me several years ago, prior to attending university,
and submitted herself to a year-long program of mentoring and discipleship. And
sometime along the way, I shared my favorite three words with her.
Heritage
Destiny
Legacy
We receive a Heritage.
We fulfill a Destiny.
We leave a Legacy.
And the Legacy we leave behind becomes
someone else’s Heritage, and so the circle continues.”
(And then I looked directly at Bridgette,
and said)
“Bridgette, you’re staring into a sunrise.
Most of us here today are staring into a sunset. I wish I could be here to see
all the wonderful things you will accomplish throughout the course of your
lifetime.”
(And though I didn’t say it at that
moment, one of my favorite phrases, and my own somewhat abbreviated mission
statement is:
“I will busy myself with planting
seedlings under whose shade I may never sit.”)
Funny, the pastor never did get around
to preaching a sermon today. After I finished my song, and while I was still
standing behind the pulpit, he asked me to sing the chorus again, and having
done so, “Bro. Brown” dispensed with his prepared notes, and called the ushers
forward to pass out the communion elements.
And somewhat to my surprise and slight
consternation, (since by this time my throat was dry and a bit hoarse) when the
sacrament was completed, our minister asked me to repeat my musical number.
Upon which, Bridgette's mother, Jennifer,
was asked to close in prayer.
Well, I could not let my former intern
begin her ministry; without sending her off with this or that word of
admonition. And thus, I walked over to Bridgette, and said whatever one says when
a dear understudy and friend is preparing to assume their role in life.
And having done so, I stretched out my
hand and laid it on her head, and spoke the following words:
“Bridgette, go out and fulfill your
Destiny!”
(and)
“This is the charge I give you.”
And as I prepare to conclude this
particular reminiscence, a story from the The Gospel of Luke comes to me.
The twelve year old Jesus had somehow
slipped away from Mary and Joseph during the Feast of the Passover, and it was
only after his parents had traveled a while that they realized he was not with
their party. Returning to Jerusalem they found the spiritually precocious
adolescent teaching, as it were, the temple religious leaders. When admonished
by Mary for causing her, and Joseph a great deal of anxiety, Jesus replied,
“Know you know that I must be about my
Father’s business?”
How marvelous, how inestimably exciting
to witness another in a long line of young people, stretching across two
millenia, emulating their first and best role model.
I believe, no, I am sure that my young
intern will be heard from, and will be found doing the Father’s business.
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