Our Surprising God
Author: Rev. Peggy Packard
Many ordinary people in the Bible received a life-changing surprise. A few who come to mind are Abraham and Sarai, Moses, David, Mary, the shepherds, Paul. These and others were just going about their daily work when God in some form came to them and changed their plans.
These stories speak to me personally. After I finished high school and headed to Virginia Tech, I thought I might go into some form of social work. What I was sure of was that the two professions I absolutely did not want to pursue were being a teacher or being a pastor. Well, you guessed it, after 23 years of teaching, I am finishing year 14 of being a pastor.
What have I learned? I was at a meeting where a group of us were working on planning a retreat and someone, without a word, placed a refrigerator magnet on the table that said, “We plan. God laughs.” As one of those who likes to plan (possibly left over from my teaching days) I have learned/am learning to submit my plans to God. Obviously, God knows best. It can mean stepping out of the box or stepping out of the boat in obedience. It may not seem easy at the time but doing God’s will is no doubt the way to go!
God has called me to serve an appointment in retirement. There will be new and differing challenges as I lead my new congregations to grow and to live out our faith in a changing world. Some colleagues have commented that seminary never prepared us to pastor in a pandemic. However, what I do know is that although circumstances change, God does not. God will walk alongside us and lead us into this new chapter just as God has done in the past. And I, for one, am looking forward to more surprises!
Job 5:8 After all he’s (God’s) famous for great and unexpected acts; there’s no end to his surprises. (Msg.)
Ephesians 3: 7,8 (Paul speaking) This is my life work; helping people understand and respond to this Message. It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details. (Msg.)
About the Author:
Rev. Peggy Packard graduated from Eastern Mennonite Seminary in 2009 with an MDiv. She served Bridgewater UMC as associate from 2006-2010, Weyers Cave UMC as pastor from 2010-2020, and is appointed to Fulks Run Charge beginning July 1, 2020. She is married to John Packard and they have two grown daughters.