Advent Devotions

Today’s author is Prince of Peace member Gary Olson.

1 Kings 3:4-9, 16-28

The story I tell you in this devotional is not one I’ve ever told outside my family because it sounds like I’m “tooting my own horn.” I do not intend that. The story has more to do with God’s work through people around me. But, here I go, “toot, toot.”

In 1987 Bishop Lowell Erdahl of the then Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ALC, asked me to chair a committee called The Board for Financial Support and Communication. The merger of three Lutheran Churches (ALC, LCA, and AELC) was taking place which would result in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), our national denomination today. The constituting convention for the ELCA would take place in Chicago in 1988. Big changes were afoot and our local synod would be changing. It would consist of the St Paul area but not southeastern MN. The new synod would be known as The East Metropolitan Synod of The ELCA. A terrible name I know. It was changed, thankfully, to the Saint Paul Area Synod.

At any rate, the task of the Board I was asked to chair was to create a structure for the new synod—necessary committees, size, job descriptions, etc; synod conferences throughout the geographical area; an income estimate based on the giving of congregations and a budget based on that estimate. We had one year to accomplish this.

My immediate feeling was of inadequacy. I’d be in over my head. I said, “I don’t think I’m your guy.” I seemed an unlikely candidate for the role they were asking me to fill. “The Synod staff and I think you’re the right person,” said Bishop Lowell. “Go home. Pray about it for a couple of days,” he said. I did. I prayed. I talked with the Lakeview Lutheran Council, then the next Sunday I told the congregation what was happening—after all, they were paying my salary to be their pastor. They were supportive.

I was scared, nervous, but called the Bishop and said yes, I’ll do my best, but only if I get some good help. “We already have a committee of good people to work with you,” he said. Did they ever! There were respected, successful people in finance and business, a non-profit organizer, a teacher, a seminary professor, an orthodontist, a therapist, etc. Ten accomplished, respected people—all dedicated to God’s church. It was the most talented team I’ve ever worked with. God’s gift.

I felt like a shrub in a forest of sequoias.

At our organizing meeting, I confessed my nervousness and sense of inadequacy. I said, “I see my role as that of a ringmaster in a three ring circus. The ten of you have the knowledge, the experience, and the ability to structure the new synod. It’s my job to keep the show going so that you can use your talents to reach a satisfactory outcome. I will keep asking the question—‘How does what we want to do advance, support, and give vitality to God’s church in Jesus Christ in this place?’”

I tell you this story because I think Solomon, whom I am nothing like in importance or power—not even in the same ballpark—felt inadequate, nervous, even afraid. He said he was a child (scholars say he was about twenty at this point—still quite young). So, what did Solomon do? Turned to God. And when God said, “Ask what I should give you,” Solomon said, “…I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of…a great people,….Give your servant…an understanding mind to govern your people…. It pleased the Lord….” Who told him, “I give you a wise and discerning mind.”

God gave him what he asked, what he needed, wisdom. God will give us what we need as we turn to God and ask. Wisdom. But what kind of wisdom? See part 2 Friday.

Dear Lord, thank you for your presence in our lives, for your love. May your wisdom and your will prevail. Amen.