It is the 31st August 2022. Tomorrow, 1st September, is an important date for me. Tomorrow marks the date when I will begin a new chapter in my life.
For the past 14 years, I have been serving in Pier Avenue Baptist Church in Clacton on Sea. This new chapter is going to be written at Brentwood Baptist Church.
It was not an easy decision to make. I liked my life at Pier Avenue. I knew the characters, I knew what was expected of me. I knew the limits that I could push people too. I also had an understanding of the twists and turns life was likely to take. Pier Avenue was familiar and it was comfortable.
Pier Avenue was certainly special to us as a family. I baptised both of my children, saw my son get married and dedicated my two grandchildren at that church. Some of the characters we met continue to hold a very special place in our hearts.
When I left Pier Avenue, it felt as if a major chapter of my life had come to the end. Before me lays a new chapter.
As somebody who enjoys writing, I love the thought of a new chapter. It presents endless opportunities. You can build on previous experiences. You can develop what you learnt in the previous chapter. If you want to, you can take the plot in an entirely different direction. As you probe the possibilities, you can learn new things. The characters can be different and you can grow through the process.
A new chapter sounds exciting!
A new chapter can be a scary experience too.
In my writing, I have experienced times known as “writers block.” When the blank page (or screen) stares at you. You may try a few, tentative, words but they do not seem to fit. You have no clue what you are doing. You do not know what to write or say. Some writers have even described this experience as the blank page “mocking you.” Until those opening lines are down (and they can be written and re-written many times), the blank screen is a terrifying prospect.
So, am I excited or scared of this new chapter?
Honestly?
A bit of both!
With this mix of emotions in my heart, I sat down for my quiet time today. The passage came from 1 Corinthians chapter 3 verses 18 – 23. In it Paul contrasts the foolishness of those who think they are wise, against the wisdom of God. It was a sound warning to me, at the start of my new chapter! However, it was the words of verse 23, which spoke to me
You belong to Christ…
Those words brought me some real comfort as I look at the blank screen of my diary, of my sermon prep and of my address book. If I can hold onto those words, perhaps this new chapter will not be quite so scary after all!
What about you?
Can you hold on to those words too?
Yes Sean I can imagine your feelings as that has been true of my life too. However what strikes me now as a retired and maybe as a refired person is my family. My wife Carole and the boys. They accompany us and don”t have much choice. None of them complain . It has formed them . I am so grateful if their resilience, patience and love. It is a strange way! That’s all! God will bless your journey.
We all on your list are blessed by you, in God’s name
grateful of – typo correction!
You will be better than fine Sean. You will go on being treasured by all you work for, but it does feel scary now. I have been thinking of you each day and will be with you in thought on Saturday.
A new chapter for me too I turn 80 next week and I have spent all year worrying about getting dementia like my mother. Now a friend has written about how she knows she will get dementia. She listed all her family who did.
I then listed my family and NONE got dementia except my mother! I’m going to get heart failure instead. That’s great news.
You and I, and all we love, belong to Christ, because if they don’t know that we take them to Him with us.
We are praying for you and Paula in this new chapter! Two special parts of our lives coming together! ?
Having journeyed through a number of new chapters in both my own life & that of your family I quite understand your mixed feelings. I hope the excitement outweighs the scary. Wishing you an exciting & blessed future.
Thank you for sharing Sean. New chapters can be scary as well as exciting. We were blessed to have had your ministry at Pier Avenue and know that the Lord is with you throughout your ‘scary’ times. Our best wishes to you. Paula and Hannah in your new chapter.
Good that you shared this, and a blessing to us in Brentwood.
The interesting thing will be what your own reaction to it is when you look at it in two years time. But that is the great virtue of a diary, to prevent us romanticising the past.
Tomorrow I hope to buy lunch for a lawyer who took me to Passover Seder at his synagogue 40 years ago. The warmth of that occasion is still with me. Sometimes treasure in heaven spills over onto earth.
Thankyou for your words.
A new chapter begins for me in Clacton very soon as I move from Lowestoft.
I will miss the Lord’s people and serving Him in any way possible. But fresh challenges await in Clacton.