Christian author Frederich Buechner is well known for saying, “Listen to your life.”  For almost all of my fifty-two years I have been too noisy and active to listen to what my life is telling me.  Like a man with ear plugs, I have blown right past the shouting of my body, soul, and life.

“Listen to your life.  See it for the fathomless mystery that it is.  In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness:  touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.”

By not listening to my life I have arrived at a port of call named “exhaustion.”  Full of faith?  Yes.  Confident in God?  Yes.  Excited about the future?  Yes.  Leading a well rested and balanced life?  No.

How do I stop the hurry scurry of ministry and the backlog of emotions and the tiredness and exhaustion?  A leave of absence is the best plan for me at this time.  I have a “Personal Board of Directors” comprised of (all friends of mine) two doctors, two pastors, and my Bishop.  It was a unanimous vote for me to take an extended season of rest and the MCA Board of Directors unanimously supported the plan too.

For several months, rather than primarily helping others, I will be learning to listen to the voice of my life.

Pastor Wayne Cordeiro of New Life Church in Oahu, Hawaii, made a presentation about his journey of learning to listen to his life.  Pastor Wayne tells his story with clarity and conviction.  Enjoy!

PS:  As I listen to my life, we will continue our conversation through this blog.  You are loved!