The Rev Lezley Stewart introduces herself to readers and hopes they will be the beginning of a ‘shared conversation’.
I wonder how you introduce yourself when you meet someone for the first time?
Do you use your name, your title, your job description, or do you describe yourself in relation to another person?
These are the questions I find myself wondering for this, my first meditation for Life and Work. My name is at the top of the page so at least that is a beginning. I could tell you I am from Broughty Ferry and about my family who live there, or I could tell you about my husband and our dog, Pip, whom daily life seems to revolve around.
I could explain that it’s 25 years since I began the pathway into ministry, and how fortunate I’ve been to study in wonderful places and to work with inspiring people. But maybe I should explain where I’ve served as a minister? My first charge was Downfield South in Dundee Presbytery, my second, Currie Kirk in Edinburgh Presbytery, and since 2014 I have served in a team ministry at Greyfriars Kirk, in the Old Town of Edinburgh.
One of life’s greatest blessings is still, after all these years, to be considered one of the younger ministers of the Kirk although I have to presume these days are sadly numbered!
Like anyone else, my pilgrimage through life to date has involved some ups and downs, twists and turns, and some welcome surprises too – writing this column would fall into that category.
Whoever first described faith as an adventure was clearly inspired by the Spirit, and I tend to enjoy adventures and the opportunities they bring.
So that’s a brief glimpse into my life – where I’m from, where I’ve been, where I find myself now, but there is something missing in all of this if I omit to say something of the One in whom I live and move and have my being. [Acts 17:28] Who I am is really rooted in God and in the encounters with Christ and the Spirit that permeate my days. Today I met the Creator in the beauty of the world around me, I met with Christ in a conversation with a stranger, and I encountered the Spirit in the inspiration that shaped my work.
As a minister I have no direct line to God, no magic telephone or prayer book, but like anyone else I can find in the midst of life that God is present; God is speaking, God is challenging and God is bringing peace.
I find my home is in God as many generations have before me. [Psalm 90:1] Together, as people of faith, each new day brings opportunities to keep our hearts receptive and our eyes open to what God is already doing in the world, and to join the adventure.
In writing these meditations I do not expect to share with you any great wisdom of my own, but rather to engage in a shared conversation – with words, with wondering, and with God. I look forward to the journey just begun.
“ Like anyone else, my pilgrimage through life to date has involved some ups and downs, twists and turns, and some welcome surprises too – writing this column would fall into that category. Whoever first described faith as an adventure was clearly inspired by the Spirit, and I tend to enjoy adventures and the opportunities they bring.
What we call the beginning is often the end And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from. [T.S.Eliot]
The Rev Lezley Stewart is Associate Minister at Edinburgh: Greyfriars Kirk.