May 29 - Change is coming

When I was a kid in Sunday school I remember singing the song, with actions, about the wise man and the foolish man.  Based on the parable in Matthew 7:24-27, the song tells the story about the wise man building his house upon the rock and the foolish man building his house upon the sand.  The rains came down and the floods came up.  The wise man’s house stood firm, the foolish man’s house came tumbling down.  As I read this now, what strikes me is the awareness that storms come in life, change occurs, whether we like it or not.

Friedrich Nietzsche is attributed with penning the familiar aphorism, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”   I used to quietly celebrate when my students made a mistake or experienced a colossal failure.  It wasn’t because I was sadistic, but rather because I had observed over the years that learning, growth and change can often occur following failure or a crisis.  Or, in the case of the house builders mentioned above, after the storms have come and gone.

Change is coming to Mill Woods United Church.  I think it will be good.  But for some it might be a bit stormy.  I am leaving and I am sure that the new minister will both be different than me, and do things differently than me.  My friends, this is not going to kill you!  Indeed, it may be an opportunity for learning, growth and change. 

May you be open to and embrace the changes before you as you step into the future that awaits Mill Woods United Church.

Shalom,

The Rev. Dr. Dale W. Johnson