"Thank you, Pastor."  They are words I have heard before, words I have heard often, yet on this occasion I was struck by both a sense of familiarity and strangeness.  That someone from Valley would express gratitude did not surprise me, for there is at Valley a culture of thanksgiving.  Instead, it was the word 'Pastor' that caused me to pause momentarily. 

For most of my adult life I have been called 'Pastor' or more often, 'Pastor Ken'. I suppose I have been addressed this way more frequently that just my given name; so much so, there was a time in my life when I had lost touch with who 'Ken' was / is.  I knew who Pastor Ken was and what he did but somewhere along the line my identity as 'Ken' was lost.

I have since come to realize that my role as Pastor is inseparably intertwined with who I am, with who God has created and called me to be. But, after 30+ years of pastoring I am still gripped at times with a measure of uneasiness when I hear the word 'Pastor' being used with my name.  I wrestle with a sense of unworthiness to be so called, and sometimes feel overwhelmed by the responsibility that comes with pastoring a church today.

To bring the Word of God before our people is an awesome calling, one that brings much joy to me; but there are times when I agonize in preparing to do what I do each Sunday or as a Bible Study leader.  To hold as sacred trust the role as a worship leader, thoughtfully preparing for our times of corporate worship is a task I do not take lightly.  It is a high calling and privilege to come alongside people, often at the worst times of their lives and seek to be a calming presence and source of encouragement and hope; that others have affirmed me in this pastoring role is simply the grace of God at work.  To have a platform as a spiritual leader in our community, to have opportunity to quietly by word and conduct to declare that living a life of faith really is the best possible way for any of us to journey through our days here on earth is another aspect of this pastoral calling that is both a blessing and sacred responsibility.

When I look back on my journey, this pastoring thing was not my idea!  I was working for Dominion Stores with a plan to advance into a managerial role within the company when God intercepted and redirected my path--a fact that I remind Him of often--'remember Lord, this was your idea'!

The Bible says, Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.  (1 Timothy 3:1)  Although not something I within myself aspired to, my calling as a Pastor is a divinely appointed task; one in which God has gifted and enabled me to pursue through the enabling of His Spirit.  And despite having failed Him and the office of Pastor more times than I would care to admit, this has been for me one of the greatest joys of my life.

I guess I just wanted to say, thank you for the privilege of being called your 'Pastor'.

Over the past few weeks at Valley as we have been looking at what has historically been called the Lord’s Prayer, I have found myself dwelling on the opening words of Jesus:  Our Father in heaven.  (Matthew 6:9) These words remind us that we are not alone, that we are loved and cared for by our Father and that the resources of our God are available to meet our needs. 
 
They are words that answer the deep question of the human soul:  Is there One who watches over me, is there One who cares for me? To which the answer comes back as a resounding yes; there is One, our Father in heaven, who says to us in Isaiah 41:13-14:  I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid…for I myself will help you."
 
Over and over again, in the pages of the Bible we are given an incredible picture of God, the Creator and Sustainer of all that is, who is our Heavenly Father.  He takes us by hand and walks with us through all the ups and downs of life; but especially when the journey becomes more difficult, the path seems unclear and we wonder where we can find strength to carry on for another day.
 
When you are weary, exhausted, weighed down by the cares of life, even fearful, there is One who walks with you, who loves you and cares for you.  In my own journey I continue to learn that when I am weary, God is not; when I am exhausted, burdened by the cares, the uncertainties of life, God is not; when I am afraid, I need only to trust His faithful love.
 
One of my favourite passages all of scripture speaks to us about this aspect of God’s nature; Psalm 121.  I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? (Psalm 121:1) The Psalmist says when I look around me, it can be scary.  Where do I turn to find help, strength and courage?

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.  (121:2)  This a confession, a statement of what the people of God believed. 

He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  (121:3-4)  These are words of assurance; our heavenly Father is always watching over us, guarding our steps.
 
The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. (121:5-6 )  Just as shade provides protection from the sun’s heat, God protects, He shields those who belong to Him. Day or night, there is no time when we are not under the watchful eye of our God; His protective care abides with us throughout our days here on earth.
 
The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.  (121:7-8)  He is the God who walks with you, watching, guarding our steps, protecting and screening us from those things which would seek to harm us. Even when we can't see clearly the path ahead of us, even in the dark night of our soul, when we can't make sense of what is happening to us or around us, God in His infinite wisdom and His outrageous compassion Is at work in our lives.
 
My friends at Valley, rest assured; God has not abandoned you, He has not, will not, can not forget you. He is the God who sees, the God who cares.  Sometimes we just need to pray:  God, help me to see beyond the darkness, to see You; to have enough faith and courage to take His hand, knowing He will walk with me, He will renew my strength and whisper words of life and hope into my broken heart.
 
The God who never slumbers or sleeps, the God who walks with you, never gets caught off guard, He never gets rattled, He never wonders, He never waivers, never becomes undone, never shrinks back in fear -- He our heavenly Father. 
 
Our God, who is big and strong and filled with compassion and love has a heart that breaks at the sight of injustice and evil.  He is for His people, jealously guarding those who belong to Him.  He is passionate toward the poor and the lonely, He delights in showing mercy, He is the lover of your soul.
 
He walks with you when nobody else will or can; He is always with you, and will be until that day when He’s says, ‘take my hand and let’s go home.’  He is the eternal, ever-faithful, never changing, sovereign God.  He is indescribable; He is irresistible.  He is the God who walks with you.
 
He is our heavenly Father, and for me, that’s enough!