I pray that you and yours are well and are enjoying the blessings of Easter. Easter always starts out with a fanfare and lots of celebration and promise, but many of us too quickly forget the promise of God for our lives now and beyond the door of death. We live as though it doesn't matter all that much. The truth is, Easter is the most important way we know that God has a plan for our lives and for the life of the world. Holding on to that deep sense of joy and promise can be life-changing.

As I reflected on the note from last week, I remembered one of the questions I received at one of the 19 presentations I gave leading up to the election. It was the only time someone asked this question out loud, but there were echoes of the theme from other questioners. Essentially, the question revolved around how we could spend so much money on St. David's to build buildings when there are so many other needs in the Diocese. I answered the questioner with examples of the growth we have experienced and the need we have to make room so that we can be strong in our church home to be strong in the world as this church on a mission. I could have spoken to the fact that our giving represents over 20% of the giving from parishes for the Diocesan budget; that we have kept several churches open that would have closed without us; that we have people serving in every area of Diocesan life; and that our outreach programs change lives here and abroad. I stopped short of that because I felt it wasn't going to be helpful.

I bring this up, not to diminish the questioner in any way, but as a moment to reflect on God's will for our life as St. David's Church. The truth is, I and many of us have asked ourselves that same question now and again over the past ten years. I bring it up because I feel strongly that we have been operating in God's will. God gave us a vision. God gave us smart and committed people to plan and consider and build the kind of space we need for our worship and mission and ministry. God gave us the resources to expand our physical plant and our reach in the world, all at the same time. It has come with a cost, as life does and following after God does, but it has also come with blessings and a future trajectory.

Today, I am pondering what that future trajectory is and would ask that you consider what our future may be as well. God doesn't give good gifts for us to simply hold onto them or revel in them. God gives us good gifts with a purpose in mind. And while much of that purpose is obvious as we worship, learn and serve others, there is always more with this God who offers hope and a future. Finding that future together and living into God's will going forward may prove even more exciting than the life we've been living.

And what's true for St. David's is also true of our own lives. Take a moment and recall all the gifts that God has given you and give thanks. Then ask God what His plans are for you with all your gifts. God will let you know and when you do, use them. The future is hopeful and bright.