I am sitting here in my office on the sixth floor of The Disciples Center, witnessing a quick moving thunder storm crossing through Indianapolis, Indiana. The rain is pouring down upon God's earth. Everything is soggy.
All I can think about is that marvelous story of the "Fool" told by Sister Joan Chittister, O.S.B. and published in: The Light of Darkness: New Reflections on the Psalms for Every Day of the Year.
The story goes like this:
"Master, I come to you seeking enlightenment," the priest said to the Holy One. "Well, then," the master said, "for the first exercise of your retreat, go into the courtyard, tilt back your head, stretch out your arms, and wait until I come for you." Just as the priest arranged himself in the garden, the rain came. And it rained. And it rained. And it rained. Finally, the old master came back. "Well, priest," he said, "have you been enlightened today?" "Are you serious?" the priest said in disgust, "I've been standing here with my head up in the rain for an hour. I'm soaking wet, and I feel like a fool!" And the master said, "Well, priest, for the first day of a retreat that sounds like great enlightenment to me."
Sometimes those occasions that might irritate and inconvenience us the most are just the first steps toward enlightenment. But often times, particularly in the church, we would do anything and everything we can to manage, provide oversight, control, problem-solve, and fix whatever moving thunderstorm is coming our way. Said another way, the storms of life upset our predictable and comfortable sunny days.
But since we are called to lead in and out of season, on rainy and sunny days, in good times and bad, it would be wise for our congregational leaders to seek enlightenment from the Holy One while in the midst of the storm and pouring rain, whatever it may be. Since we cannot control the rain, we need to lead the congregation through it. Your vision and ability to motivate and inspire people through the storm and rain is the hallmark of leadership in the church.
There is no doubt in my mind that you have probably felt as soaking wet and foolish as the priest in Chittister's story. I know I have. The good news is that it is not a bad place to be. It may be the only place to be for enlightened church leaders.
Soakingly yours,
