I know this isn’t our new theme, but it seems God isn’t done with the old one yet, at least where I am concerned. During last month’s reflections on repentance, some of the posts mentioned that true repentance means turning around, doing something different, returning to God. It’s not enough to just say “I’m sorry” and then keep behaving in the same way.
At St. Paul’s our leaders have been praying about how we need to repent, individually and corporately. Here’s one thing God has impressed upon my mind: a pastor in India, Pastor Duiggi, and his ministries. We’ve met this man. He actually visited our church, twice I believe, years ago. Since then my husband and I have received periodic emails from him, telling us about the things he is doing and asking for our prayers and support. He runs an orphanage, supports a Women’s Ministry and is now associated with the Lutheran School of Theology in India. Sad to say, I have done nothing.
Why? Well, I could come up with any number of excuses. I’ve been busy with many things (like Martha), things that seemed closer to home and more pressing; he’s not affiliated with our particular Lutheran denomination (the AFLC); our church is small, not wealthy, and truth to tell I’ve been more worried about whether the church can afford to pay its Pastor (my husband) then suggesting we support a mission in India. All of these reasons are wrong and just plain sinful. This is not easy for me to even think, much less say out loud.
So I’m going to repent. I’m going to start talking to our church about Pastor Duiggi, beginning with our Sunday School class. I’m going to model the behavior I’d like to see in others. I’m going to be the change I want to see in the world.
Lutheran Ladies Connection 