Finding God in Unexpected Places

Dear Friends in Christ,

In school chapel right now, I’m using the season of Epiphany to think through what it means to “find God in unexpected places.” So we talked about the magi who found God in a manger. We’ll talk about the disciples who found God strolling along the Sea of Galilee. We’ll eventually come to the Mount of Transfiguration, where God was revealed in the mysterious, overshadowing cloud. 

But, in the wake of the funeral of Fr. Warren last weekend, I’ve been thinking about other unexpected ways and places that God shows up. Of course, this means I’ve been reflecting on his life and ministry—and the lives and ministries of countless others who joined him in the good work of building St. Peter’s. Eugene Peterson describes discipleship as a “long obedience in the same direction,” and that’s what’s struck me both about Fr. Warren and those—including many of you reading this—who joined him in the work of ministry over the years.

But it’s not just the rear view that shows God to us, though that’s an excellent place to look. I’ve also been struck, observing the work that went into the funeral, by how God reveals himself in and through community. Seeing so many people come together to help, to serve, to pray, to mourn, and to celebrate has a way of revealing God so powerfully as a God who shows up in the work of “us.” The work of a community committed to Christ and to one another. 

It’s counterintuitive—perhaps this is especially so in these days when politicians and parties seek to govern by getting 50% plus one on board with any given decision. But that’s not the way the Kingdom of God works—that’s one reason why Christians should never feel too at ease with the politics of the day, whichever side of the aisle you might identify with more.  

No, the Kingdom of God isn’t about 50% plus one. It’s about us, all of us. It’s about God showing up in our work together, our life together, our long obedience in the same direction together. So when we help, serve, pray, mourn, or celebrate, we can only do so together. And by doing these things together, we can rest assured that God is there, in the midst of us.

God bless,

Fr. Quinn Parman+