I’m in the process of discernment to find out if I will be accepted as a candidate for ordained ministry in the Church of England. This involves a considerable amount of feedback from people about my personality, style, and sense of God, mission, leadership. It’s intense, and challenging and I think I’ll come out of the process a different person even if they do eventually turn me down!
My writing has been for me a key way to express and develop my own spirituality, and share the bible with others. I would therefore really appreciate it if you have at any point read this blog, and gained any encouragement in your faith or otherwise just enjoyed reading it, if you could share your thoughts with me.
I will share this with the people who are assessing me and it will also help me describe why I write to other people… I’m better at writing than I am at talking in interviews it has to be said!
It’s a long process, discerning God’s call in your life, at least it has been for me. I think it will be a lifetime one as well. I struggle at times to keep focused, with so many distractions around to occupy me, and so many blessings to enjoy in my life. This Lent as well as giving up Candy Crush, I’m trying to fit in Daily prayer, through the book of Common Prayer. I think the simple act of praying (even thought it’s still slightly ad-hoc for me!) already has a really beneficial effect on freeing up further conversation with God. It’s like starting a conversation without saying hello, how do you do, and how’s the weather.. we need the simple pleasantries to set the context. Certainly this Sunday when preparing to pray in church, I found my own prayers at home really helped me stay focused on the task in hand. If anyone has found a daily prayer routine they find useful I’d really like to hear about it too.
This is part of the daily morning prayer for Lent I’ve discovered…
The night has passed, and the day lies open before us; let us pray with one heart and mind
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever.
Amen.
inspiredinyork 