The Hermitage
January 1, 2020
The first day of a new decade
I quit making New Year’s resolutions years ago. They always seemed like a foolproof way to frustrate myself.
Instead, these days I look back over the previous year(s) to see what lessons God tried/is trying to teach me.
Three things seem to dominate this year:
- A focus on outreach
- My music
and
- “Use what you have at hand,”
Although I’ve always been mission minded outreach came into sharp focus early in the year with the February retreat I led for SAMS in South Africa. (Interesting enough, I blogged about the trip down but can’t find anywhere I blogged about why I was going) There I met a group of missionaries who turned my world upside down. This continued with the New Wineskins conference, another mind blowing experience.
My music ministry will be the subject of a future meditation, but — a nutshell — it has always been an integral part of my ministry. But I laid my guitar down when I retired and put my music on the shelf until earlier this year. Thinking it would give me joy and peace I started playing my hammered dulcimer thinking it would bring me joy and peace (which it will.) But, as usual, it seems God has larger plans. He led me to two professional musicians who are living by faith, Joshua Messick and Bing Futch. Now I think my music is to play a much larger role in my future ministry.
Outreach and “use what’s in your hand,” came into sync in the last couple of months. About a week ago, my oldest son, who lives in Red Wing, MN, asked me if we might be kin to Mary Jo Copeland. I doubted it, never having heard of her, and asked why. It seems she has a homeless shelter called Caring and Sharing Hands and he was thinking about volunteering.
Founded in 1985 with no money and operating out of a storefront, it’s now a multi-million dollar charity - all raised from private donations — not a single dime from government. The striking similarity is she married Dick Copeland. Reading her life story I discovered she also had a son born with hip dysplasia, like Chris.
Now here’s the scoresheet of licks from the 2x4 God has specially reserved for me…
SAMS - South Africa
My music
“What’s in your hand?” Pastor Jason’s sermon
Chris, volunteering all night cooking brisket for St. Mark’s Christmas meal for the homeless
Joyce, serving the homeless under the bridge
Hill telling me about Caring and Sharing Hands ministry for the homeless
St. Nicholas, the new Episcopal church plant in Spring Branch. (St. Nick is the patron saint of lots of scuzzy people - the homeless included)
Mary and Joseph, homeless but obedient.
The list could probably go on. Those are just the most immediate.
At first I was confused about the connection with the homeless. I really don’t feel that’s my mission. I contribute to the local homeless ministry because I’m concerned about the problem, but physically serving the homeless? Please understand. I would do it in a heartbeat if I thought that’s what He wanted me to do, so I prayed about it a lot.
But then He finally got through...for me, I was looking at the wrong connection. The real focus was simple.
Every single one of these things was done with
what was in their hand!
Sure, some were pretty miraculous. But most were what I mentioned in past posts. “Common people” doing simple things. Touching lives in ways they may never see...quietly...unsung...but each, in their own way, driving one (or more) of the 32 Nails.
Hill also had another insight about how he could help Mary Jo’s ministry with “what he had in hand”...he could tell people about her (as he did with me.) A cost free way of spreading God’s kingdom.
As I wait (far more patiently than I ever have in the past) to see what adventures God has in store for me in 2020 and the New Decade, I feel more convinced than ever (rightly or wrongly) that — even though it doesn’t seem like I’m “doing” anything right now — I believe I am dead center in His will.
So...what do I have in my hand?
I have the experience, skills, resources and tools to help others discover their authentic self, embrace it with passion, and change their lives.
How can I make such a bold statement?
Quite simply, I believe this is what God has called me to do.
My mission as I understand it is: “To purposefully live in the Sacrament of the Present Moment, touching the lives of others with the presence of God bringing joy, healing and peace.” (extracted from “Who Am I” )
How am I called to do this? Part of it is rebuilding my coaching/spiritual direction practice. I believe God has given me a really unusual Business Plan. I’m to have a ministry instead of a paying practice like I had before. And, just as during my years as an active pastor, God has impressed on me that my coaching ministry is to be free to anyone and everyone.
If you read the link to “Who Am I?” you know that I’m living out my mission by traveling, writing and coaching, and music. Through these I try to touch as many people as possible, and — if it seems appropriate — let them know about my ministry.
So that’s what I’m doing with this meditation. I’m writing to let you know about my ministry.
If you’d like help in knowing who God has created you to be (your authentic self,) how He has gifted you (your passion,) and help in formulating and living out His plan (changing your life)...that’s why I’m coaching again.
I feel especially called to support lay leaders, clergy, missionaries, churches/religious organizations and to enrich relationships, but if you don’t fit into any of those categories I’m still here for you.
And now, may I ask for your help?
First, please pray for my ministry to prosper and to be a blessing to many people. Then please tell people about my ministry and offer it to them. If they choose to respond they can contact me at coaching@richardcopeland.com with their phone number and I’ll get back to them as soon as possible.
As I write this, I’m excited about the future and I pray you are too!
Till then...
Thanks for journeying with me