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“Trust in the Lord and do good.” Psalm 37:3a
As the new District Superintendent of both the Genesee Valley and Mountainview Districts, I will begin by sharing God’s call on my life, the hopes for our districts, and our ministry together. Our ministry of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Our ministry of building God’s kingdom one heart and life at a time. Our ministry of sharing God’s love found in Jesus Christ. Our ministry directed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 37 is the scripture God placed on my heart as I discerned a call into ordained ministry. “Trust in the Lord and do good.”
The dictionary defines trust as firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. Synonyms include: confidence, belief, faith, freedom from suspicion/doubt, sureness, certainty, certitude, assurance, conviction, credence, reliance. What a list!
Trust in the Lord! Trust in God! Trust in Jesus! Trust in the power of the Holy Spirit! Learning to trust was not easy for me. The beginning of my faith journey began as an adult at 39 years old. I trusted in what I could do and what was best for me. Learning to trust in the Lord? Really?
Today I give thanks to God for my friend Marion (we worked together as nurses) who kept inviting me to church. For months on end the invitation was extended. Finally, I replied, “If I go to church with you this one time will you stop inviting me?” She replied, “Sure.” So, on Sunday we met at the church I was invited to. It was on that day that I learned God loved me. That God’s gift of love to us is his son Jesus. And I could trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to direct my life. My life changed that Sunday and my life continues to be transformed by God’s love.
Over the years, trusting in the Lord has grown deeply into my daily faith journey. When I give up my plans and desires; when I sit quietly in prayer and listen deeply for God’s leading; when I intentionally read God’s Word daily, then I begin to see the world with Kingdom eyes and the possibilities of ministry begin to take shape.
During our time in ministry together my hope is to develop trust in our mission and ministry together; remembering the blessing of being a connectional church; to share our hopes, frustrations, concerns, joys and celebrations in this journey called faith; to try new things that bring others into the love of God found in Jesus; to rely on the Holy Spirit; to remember we are beloved children of God who have been forgiven; and to live filled with the joy of the Lord!
I feel excited and blessed to be in ministry together and to see what God will do. I know that change is a constant. So, let’s join God in what God is already blessing and remember, from Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”
May we journey together well as we “Trust in the Lord and do good!”
Rev. Suzanne Block
District Superintendent
PS: I have a 14 ½ year old dachshund whose name is Matzo Moses. I fondly call him “my boy!”
Hope many of you will be able to meet him!
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