Pastor’s Corner: So… This Happened

October 14, 2020

“So… This happened.”

I can’t remember when I started using that phrase. I strongly suspect I picked it up from people younger than I – possibly my children, possibly the young people at summer camp, possibly via social media. I use it along with some brief description of what “this” was or is. Usually, “this” is something that feels like a recognition or an honor.

So… this happened last weekend…

At the ‘Aha Pae’aina on Saturday, the delegates accepted a leadership slate that included me as Chair of the Conference Council. For those unacquainted with the structure of the Hawai’i Conference, the Council functions as the overall governing board between meetings of the full conference. The Chair presides both at meetings of the Council and at gatherings of the ‘Aha Pae’aina itself.

It is quite an expression of confidence. I recall, however, that when Abraham Lincoln was asked how he liked being President, he replied, “You have heard the story, haven’t you, about the man who was tarred and feathered and carried out of town on a rail? A man in the crowd asked him how he liked it. His reply was that if it was not for the honor of the thing, he would much rather walk.” This recognition comes, especially in this time of pandemic, as a great responsibility among other great responsibilities.

That is the way of it in the life of faith, isn’t it? Small achievements in love and faithfulness are invited to become larger achievements in love and faithfulness. Larger achievements in love and faithfulness are invited to become greater achievements in love and faithfulness.

As we all still seek to comfort and support one another through a scary and dangerous time, may all your achievements of love and faithfulness continue to grow. May all your achievements of love and faithfulness return to you and inspire you to more and more.

With aloha,

Pastor Eric

Photo by Eric Anderson.