Rev. Lynn Longfield, a friend I look up to, accepted to
preach during the ordination service. When I was working at the Presbytery,
Lynn was the Presbyter, in other words the Pastor of the Pastors.
Lynn preached on Elijah’s journey, supported by God’s angels
through discouragement and despair (1 Kings 19). This is one of my favorite
biblical tests.
An angel supports Elijah with fresh water and cakes baked on
hot stones. Eventually, God comes close to Elijah, as a “gentle whisper” or “a
still small voice” (depending on the
translations) so they can talk.
The paradox, said Lynn, is that “when God speaks to us in
the silence of our own hearts, in that still voice of mysterious wonder, there
comes also a deeper revelation that we are not alone, and, in fact, never have
been."
The important is to listen. Lynn mentioned that she was
given a plaque that read “silence and listen have the same letters.
Coincidence?”
God walks by our side in many ways, concluded Lynn. Sometimes,
God sends us angels that provide us with hot cakes and fresh water. The
community around us is also the witness of God’s love.
It was never truer as on my ordination day.
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