Across the other side

We have travelled from one corner of South Australia to the other: from Ceduna to Naracoorte (& cold & drizzly Mount Gambier!). This traversing the state has reminded me of the gospel writers' technique of moving Jesus from one side of the lake to the other, whenever something new and dynamic was going to happen within the life of his ministry. Check out the gospels and see those references....and he went across to the other side.... Well, there are no lakes, except a few down the South East, but I'm on annual leave. Annual leave from ministry duties...if that's possible in this electronic era...when emails, SMS messages and phone calls only ever get interrupted by the few spots of 'no service available.'. Annual leave is meant to refresh us and help us draw near to God in a relaxed time. So we can return to work, with renewed vigor and zeal. Annual leave has meant for me, Christmas service reading, a memorial service for a special colleague, Christmas shopping and catching up with distant family relations. On one day Our wedding anniversary, we planned a day just for the Lord and us. A phone call came this morning, from the preacher I had booked to bring 2 services to the West Coast Ministry Area in my absence. This involves a 600K round trip for him. It involved my planning and preparing a hymn CD for both services and dropping that off on our way across the state. Yet, an unplanned visit by a drama group, had resulted in one congregation phoning and canceling the preacher's visit to their town. Fortunately, the preacher is a man considerate of God' call on his life, and is passionate about the church and advancing God's kingdom. What about the other little congregation? He asked. Oh, you could go there. There is a congregation of 3 people on the Far West Coast who will have a preacher come from 300km away to bring the Good News to them on the second Sunday of Advent. A man who will cross from one side of Eyre peninsula to another, to bring a word from Jesus Christ. I hope the 3 people will have a deep appreciation of this great gift from God to them. Meanwhile, I will make ready to return. Not feeling refreshed, but frazzled. Wondering if I can muster up the same faith and commitment within myself, as that one precious follower of Jesus Christ from Port Lincoln.