Dear Friends,
On September 20, the Presbytery of Pickering held a moment to thank and celebrate Rev. Ian and Mrs. Sally Morrison’s faithful service to the Presbytery as the Clerk of Presbytery during its meeting. Many shared how Rev. & Mrs. Morrison’s ministry impacted their personal lives and churches. Some ministers thanked them for helping them to become PCC ministers and for how they welcomed them into the ministry. Some elders thanked them for their service to their congregations during their vacancy and difficult transitions. Others thanked them for baptizing their grandchildren and for always being available for others.
When Rev. Ian Morrison was asked to speak, he thanked God and the Presbytery. He shared that we are called to be a servant of God, and that our privilege is to serve Christ Jesus and his churches. He intends to serve God through his churches continually. I was struck by something he said in his speech. He began his speech, “I have done my duty.”
Throughout the week, I could not get rid of it from my heart. I kept hearing, “I have done my duty.” I kept hearing it again and again. I believe my soul was hungry to listen to it and wanted to remind me of something I needed to hear. Perhaps what I have been hearing this week is the desire within my heart to serve God. During the week, I thought about some of the duties and responsibilities I carry: My duty and responsibility as a father, son, husband, pastor, friend, neighbour, citizen, Christian, and human being; My duty and responsibility to eat, drink, rest, walk, run, play, and sleep; my duty and responsibility to think, listen, love, forgive, pray and praise God; and my duty and responsibility to live and die.
Our duties and responsibilities sometimes make our life heavy, burdened, muddy, and scary. Still, they can also give us meaning, strength, understanding, compassion, peace, joy, and light.
May we celebrate the sacred duties and responsibilities of our faith journey!
Matthew 11:28–30:
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
—Rev. Chuck Moon
A version of this message first appeared in the Saturday, September 24, 2022, edition of Tidbits.