Tutelege – A few days ago, I sensed the Lord sharing this word with me. I decided to consult Merriam-Webster, and learned that originally tutelage was derived from Latin meaning “protection or guardian” with the earliest English definition being “an act or process of serving as guardian or protector.” I was more familiar with the definition of “instruction especially of an individual” or “the state of being under a guardian or tutor.” It seems that the Spirit is highlighting all of these roles to me: the Lord is my tutor, the Lord is my protector, and the Lord is my guardian. And oh, how we need Christ’s teaching, protection, and guardianship!
For you have been called for this purpose, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in His steps … For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. (1 Peter 2:21,25, NASB)
In 2022, my family and I answered God’s call. We were uprooted and moved across the country to Wilmore, Kentucky where I am a student at Asbury Theological Seminary. I left behind a career of over twelve years, in which I worked as a soil scientist all across the state of Texas. Those years of studying God’s good creation, exploring the soils underneath our feet, and working outdoors were such a blessing, but we are a pilgrim people and when it is time to follow the Good Shepherd into new pastures and new sheep pens that is the best place to be…close to Him. The summer of our move, I received the blessing of being called to serve the people of Hutchison Methodist Church as their pastor, and what a gift it has been to serve Christ and His church in this way. Feeding and shepherding the lambs of His pasture is a tremendous honor and privilege, and an impossible task apart from the One who knows each of His sheep by name. This past spring, I began sensing that the Lord might be releasing me from serving as pastor of this first appointment, but this came as a surprise and a struggle. Was I discerning rightly?
Thanks be to God for our house fellowship, my fellowship bands, and mentors who walked with me through this season. This invitation to be released and prepare for another assignment became more obvious in August and September through several clarifying words from the Lord. Even still, I can say that these past few months have been a difficult season for me, but oh how faithful and good is our God! And I am thankful now as we enter a new season of preparation, the Lord wants to remind me that he is my teacher and my guardian.
I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them at the present time. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take from Mine and will disclose it to you. (John 16:12-14)
By mid-January 2025, I will no longer be shepherding the people of Hutchison, a new pastor is answering a call to this community. We are confident that the Lord is leading us in this next season, but it is not yet time for us to know where we are going. It is never boring and always exciting following Jesus, but as I prepare to preach a message this Sunday on chapter one of Luke, I am reminded that there is part of me who still wants the certainty desired by Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father, when he asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this?” (Luke 1:18, NIV) in contrast to the simple faith, humility, and courage of Mary as she answered Gabriel by inquiring for wisdom from God regarding her situation, which God gives generously (Jam. 1:5). She then followed her question of the Lord’s messenger with her powerful words of trust and obedience, “I am the Lord’s servant, … May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38). I know in my mind that “…no word from God will ever fail” (Luke 1:37), but I pray that in this season of preparation and sharpening that the Lord will impress his word upon my heart as he tutors me in his ways of love.
“Be silent [and still], all mankind, before the LORD; for He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling.” (Zech. 2:13)
Perhaps like the New Testament Zechariah, the Lord is calling me to a ‘holy hush’, but maybe by God’s grace an angel will not have to enforce a mandatory silence (Luke 1:20) on me!
“Solitude is the furnace of transformation. Without solitude we remain victims of our society and continue to be entangled in the illusions of the false self.”
(Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Way of the Heart)
I pray that my family and I will receive all that the Lord has for us in this season, that we will get more and more caught up in the “wonders of his love” (Psalm 31:21) and that the ‘furnace of solitude’ burns away anything and everything that might hinder my drawing nearer to Jesus, as I trust the One who trusts me. He is a jealous God, an all-consuming fire, and He will do it. Because that is who He is and our eternal Guardian wants this more than we do! Hallelujah!
The Lord is your protector;
The Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun will not beat down on you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.
The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time and forever. (Psalm 121:5-8)
May I never forget where I was when Jesus redeemed me, how He has led me through chaotic waters on dry ground, where He has taken me, His constant care and tutelage in every situation, and ultimately the certainty and hope we have of where we are going on this beautiful pilgrim journey with Him and to Him in the New Jerusalem and the New Eden.
Chance is an Inspire Missioner currently living in Wilmore whilst studying at Asbury Seminary and following the leading of the Spirit in his ministry.
