A few minutes before a worship service at First United Methodist Church, a child was in the hallway behind the sanctuary, looking for a water fountain. He was obviously a visitor, here with his family for the first time.
I was wearing my clergy robe, about to enter the sanctuary. He asked me where the water fountain was located, then said, “Are you the priest here?” Technically, in the Methodist Church clergy are referred to as a minister or pastor or preacher or Reverend. But who cares about technicalities when a child is asking a question? So I said, “Yes, I am.” He then asked, “Do you like being the priest here?”
I didn’t have to think about it. I responded, “Yes, I really do.” He smiled and went on his way. But his question lingered with me throughout the worship service. “Do you like being the priest here?”
I love being a pastor in the church. I felt God’s call to the ministry when I was a senior in high school. Since then, it has been the dream and goal of my life. Each Sunday, I consider it a sacred privilege to stand in the pulpit of the church to proclaim God’s word.
I have to admit that sometimes it can be discouraging. Sometimes it is very challenging. But I would not want to do anything else in the world.
I
am thankful today for the probing question of a child before a worship service. A question that made me think. A question that gave me joy. The prophet Isaiah said it like this, “. . . a little child shall lead them.” (Isaiah 11:6)