7/5/2023
Blessing and Benediction from Rev. Ivan Herman
by Rev. Ivan Herman
Wisdom is a blessing.
But there is much that tries to distract you from being blessed by wisdom:
the gnawing silence of old hurts,
the ad nauseum back-and-forth of complaints,
the trumpeting outrage of today’s news.
Ground yourself instead in divine wisdom.
Wisdom’s messenger to you might be Karamo or Rumi,
or heard in winds that rustle leaves, whip sands, and shape waves,
or found in scripture that speaks the gentle and humble heart of Jesus.
God’s wisdom seeks out those who don’t already have all the answers.
Give thanks for that wisdom.
Rather than letting headlines shape your outlook,
let God’s wisdom shape your path and your purpose,
its yoke is easy and burden light.
Eat it like honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
Its sweetness is good for your soul.
In divine wisdom you will find your future,
your hope will be set free.
Live this day and every day in the wisdom and love of God.
Rev. Ivan Herman
Rev. Ivan Herman has served as the associate pastor at Carmichael Presbyterian Church since 2009 and is active in the Presbytery of North Central California. He grew up in Ecuador and Colombia, and has previously served as pastor or ruling elder in Presbyterian congregations in Memphis, TN, Washington, DC, and San Antonio, TX. He holds an annual pass to U.S. National Parks as well as degrees from American University, Wesley Theological Seminary, and Wake Forest University. Ivan lives in Sacramento with his spouse, Susan. They keep a well-stocked fridge for their two itinerant young adult sons., but the ice cream never even makes it to the freezer.
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