The God who has led us thus far will lead us on.

Trepidation, Excitement.  It’s not ‘assessed’, but kind of is, because people are people.  I’ve had some outstanding input, feedback, pearls of wisdom, advice, guidance, thoughts and lists…It probably could all be summed up in one phrase ‘be you’.

I remain wholly committed and utterly humbled by the efforts of so many. People are praying for me, that’s amazing.

I’m not going to fake my way through any of this – I am who I am.  Now, that’s not to say that for retreat I shouldn’t shift my MO.  Naturally, folk have remarked upon me being in teaching or church-leading mode.  That cannot be the default here; I must be in receive mode. There is so much to learn and listen to and hear from.  Not least to seek clarity of God’s call.

A few thoughts have sprung to mind as I’ve been praying and preparing.   Those few thoughts had flip-flopped from the quite serious with theological framing through to the probably silly – but thought none-the-less.

• Nothing on retreat is optional, not really, to maximise the gift, take it all.
• Have I read enough? (No)
• Does methodism really need another white middle-class man in his 40s undertaking active presbyteral ministry?
  • But then why am I discerning this call from God
• Though the MO is in receive mode, there has to be a balance
• I can’t wait to meet folk who are at the same point of the journey as me.
• What do I wear? (See, silly)

So, travel down on the Friday morning.  Here we go.

PS - The personal journal is filling up - I know I've got some back-filling to do here. Perhaps quiet evenings on retreat? (or more likely sleepless nights!)