As part of the team which helped design and lead the FAW NuGen event titled Who Am I? Where Is God?, I've looked at these two questions in the context of home, spirit, re-creation, and work. I'll use these four arenas as the overlay for sharing my faith journey.
For me, thoughts of home always begin with my family of origin. I count among my greatest blessings the fact that I was born into a Christian family. When I hear others share, I am struck by the fact that many had to find their way to God and the church on their own. Would I have found my way? I'm attracted to the wild and worldly side of life but my parents made church part of our home.
My dad is fond of saying "I'd rather have friends than money". That's an enduring value for me too. I like to think of my home as the "house at the side of the road" for friends or relatives visiting Washington, DC. Making "home" for me has been about creating safety, entertaining angels unaware and celebrating the joy that is to be found when two or more are gathered. I believe we carry "home" with us and that God is always in the midst of "creating home" for ourselves.
My earliest sense of God comes from Camp Lutherlyn in Prospect PA. Oh, the memories of "morning watch" when we read the devotional for the day in silence (no easy task for an extroverted kid). God was very real to me during those early mornings.
A few years ago I began holding "morning watch" again. I read and journal, feeling close to God once more. I like to think of Faith At Work events as "camp for big kids". The singing, linking our stories to God's biblical story and creative worship reconnect me to my beloved camp days. Faith At Work retreats are absolutely vital to my growth as a Christian and my personal renewal.
There is never a doubt about "Who I Am and Where God Is" when I think about re-creation. I love to make fun, have fun, and encourage others to do the same. The word "enthusiasm" means God within. I know when I am re-creating and encouraging others to find meaningful re-creation that we are manifesting the glory of God. I like to think that when we get to heaven we'll have a lot of fun and in the meantime I'm doing my best to create a little heaven on earth now.
The answers to my identity and God's role in my work continue to evolve. The constant in my life has always been my God given gifts of teaching, organizing, leading, facilitating, and encouraging. God is always surprising me with opening just one more door to an area where I can use those gifts.
Until two and half years ago, I made my living in a safe, well-paid corporate position. But I felt unnurtured and discerned God calling me to use my gifts in other ways. So I set out on my own as an independent consultant working with organizations and individuals around issues of spirit, change, and leadership.
As a single-income person, this shift has been about walking in faith. My new path is somewhat nontraditional and that's okay by me. After all, my Master never had a "real job" by the world's standards.
It is my current form of service which allows me the flexibility to serve as Acting President of Faith At Work this fall--just another reminder about who I am and whose I am and that indeed "all things work together for good." It seems that as I grow and live into the answers, God grows larger!
Suzanne is an active lay leader in the United Church of Christ. She consults to organizations on issues of renewal and teaches a course on Organizational Leadership to adult graduate students at the University of Maryland. She loves to dance, sing, and encourage others to celebrate their creativity.