The Pastor’s Corner

First United Methodist Church

“When the student is ready the teacher will appear” –Scott Martin

 

Dear members and friends,

Our house sits beside the newly refurbished public school tennis courts in New Ulm.  It has been fun watching the people get out to play the game again after all the construction going on last summer.   One spring evening I saw what appeared to be a junior high boy with his dad out there on the courts trying to learn how to serve.    The dad I could tell was out there to be supportive of his son.  The dad was patiently trying to retrieve the erratic balls that his son was hitting.    The balls were flying all over the place but never landing in the little service box area where they were supposed to go when you are playing tennis.   I could tell that dad had never played tennis before because he was wearing dress shoes and was offering no advice to the boy.   To his credit the young man didn’t give up.   Swear words started coming out of his mouth as he thought the solution to his dilemma was to hit the ball harder.   Now the ball was going harder but it was consistently going into the net.     When I shared this story with my wife Barb later she asked me, “Why didn’t you go and give the boy some instruction?”    My reply went something like this.  “I didn’t feel it was my place.  And besides the boy wasn’t ready to receive any instruction.”

In our Christian lives God has given us the Holy Spirit to be our counselor and guide.  He is like a good coach who can help us in the game of life. (See John 16:12-14)

The young man’s problems with his serve had nothing to do with his effort and or determination.  It wasn’t a matter of hitting the ball harder.  It had everything to do with his ball toss.  Some instruction from a coach could help him find more enjoyment and less frustration as a player.

Are you ready to listen to God’s still small voice this summer?   Are you willing to let the Holy Spirit begin to guide and direct your life?   The renewal you are longing for will not happen unless you see the need and are willing to give up some control.  It will never happen until you like the young boy Samuel are willing to say, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”  (See 1 Samuel 3:1-10)

 

Serving Him,

 

Pastor Kevin R. Dunn

 

P.S.  A good way to jump start your faith this summer might be to join a class for faith formation.   A new adult class called “Crazy Love” is getting started at 8:45 a.m. in the Library Lounge before the 9:30 a.m. worship service.   Check it out.  You will be glad you did.