Churches, Denominations and Religions: Pastor's Life: Grateful for grace

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Pastor's Life: Grateful for grace

Grateful for grace, and sun rises
by Rev. Dr. Glen Bell

Getting out of bed is an act of faith -

for the widow with husband lost to COVID,

for the single father, bone tired, already working two jobs,

for the pastor whipsawed by so many demands.

Sometimes I experience a love/hate relationship with Isaiah 43. God’s admonition and promise are clear in verse 18 and 19:

"Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old.

I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth.

Do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

But sometimes my response to God has been, "Lord, to be honest at this moment I do not perceive it. Right now feels dry, rough, barren."

Rev. Dr. Glen Bell joined the Foundation in August 2020 as Senior Vice President of Development. Before joining the Foundation, Glen dedicated 30 years as a pastor in a wide variety of Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations, serving churches in North Carolina, Indiana, and Florida, including serving as executive pastor of Second Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, Indiana, and pastor/head of staff, First Presbyterian Church, Sarasota, Florida. You can reach Glen at glen.bell@presbyterianfoundation.org.

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