Waiting To Exhale
By Dr. Herman O. Kelly, Jr.
Many prepared to attend the 52nd Session of The General Conference. We purchased tickets to fly and to travel via train; we prepared our cars to travel to Columbus, Ohio. I want to articulate some thoughts I call “Waiting to Exhale.” We all held our breath praying for clarity and resolution for many serious issues facing our Zion. As a competitive swimmer, one’s breathing pattern is important to compete in a race, and to do your best time, breathing is important in swimming. Our Zion must breathe, we must exhale as a Family of God.
First, we exhale, understanding that God, our eternal guide, is still in charge of our African Methodist Episcopal Church. We can exhale, knowing that The Spirit of God will connect with us and continue to undergird our Zion. In the mix of politics and financial challenges, we must still remember that God is still in charge. My beloved Pastor and Mentor, Dr. Donald L. Tucker, had a plaque on his desk saying, “Relax, God Is In Charge.” I want to add my rhetorical adjustment, “Exhale because God is in charge.
Second, we exhale, because God has provided an opportunity for us to grow and renew our kingdom work. We have young people waiting for direction and leadership from our Zion. We exhale, because God is calling us to be intentional regarding our growth. Intentionality, means focus and direction toward a goal one wants to accomplish. To exhale calls for intentional work. There is a middle school next door to the church to which we have been assigned. We have adopted the school, impacting our intentional ministry. As a Connectional Church, our kingdom’s work is to deliberate in meeting the specific needs of our community.
Last, we exhale because we, as a Zion, have the power to renew and revise our Ministry. We have several important issues that we must address as a Zion. We know the issues; let us exhale and breathe. Let us breathe and allow God to Bless and keep us.
