Deus aderit

Taped to my computer is a sign: "Vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus aderit."

The words reassure during this time of great change in both the work of Communications and in my personal life. The Latin words say, "Bidden or unbidden, God is present."

Deus has, indeed, been present to me in beautiful, surprising ways since I began my work here in 1990. A cradle Methodist, I was still naÃ¯ve as to the inner -- and outer -- workings of our denomination. Like most lay members, I saw just as far as my local church walls, with only a vague notion that it was a tiny part of a vast, global church connection. I "saw through a glass darkly."

In the course of coming to see this great Church of ours "face to face," I've been excited to see holy dreams realized; moved by countless instances of faith in action; proud in times of manifest Christian courage; and, I confess, sometimes ~~irritated~~ challenged by the ponderousness of church procedures.

As the Liberian civil war was ending in 1991, I went there to report on the status and needs of our missions. Arriving as if from another planet, I experienced a soul-deep epiphany of pain when I saw and felt the physical and spiritual wounds made by the war. Before I left, I joined a native congregation as they praised God with an even greater power than that of their grief. That moment, I knew grace overwhelming!

The experience has illumined my work and life ever since. It has taught me the truth of our world's human kinship; that when one of us hurts, we all are hurt. It has sharpened my awareness of the gifts each of us brings to the work of Christ, and of the unending need for generous and humble hearts.

These dozen years have been the most important of my life. For you Hoosier United Methodists and all our Christian kin, I am thankful. Deus aderit!

Last updated on 01/14/2004

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