For several years I rode my bicycle to school. I lived in central Florida and we actually had some small hills where I lived. I remember pumping the pedals hard to get to the top . I knew it was worth it because I would be able to coast going down the hill. How exhilarating it was to feel the breeze as I whizzed down the incline, propping my feet up on the bar and letting the force of gravity do the work. Often my spiritual walk feels like that. For a time I have to put in some hard work getting to a place where I can feel comfortable just letting go. Sometimes I make it harder than it has to be. God has told me that I can rely on Him. Holy week for pastors is a busy time. We want to make the special services meaningful and memorable for the congregation. It is like climbing that hill. But, once the time for the service arrives, we can let go and let God do the filling, the inspiring and the touching. We can coast. I think that this past Holy week was one of the hardest but most exciting and memorable in my years of ministry. The Holy Spirit was powerfully at work in the Seder meal, the Good Friday service, Easter Sunrise and the Easter cantata. We saw people making a first time commitment to Christ and others rededicating their lives. It was refreshing and joyful not because of anything any of us pastors did but because of what God did. God is good, all the time!
