Pre-Convention Anxiety
The clock numbers glowed – 11:00 PM. I turned and fluffed the pillow. I stretched under the sheets, straightened the blanket and laid my head down. I closed my eyes and concentrated on my breathing. Breathing is a good thing – in, out – in, hold it, out – in, out. I relaxed my muscles. I breathed. I willed my mind to turn off – to be still – to allow me the needed rest sleep would bring.
I sat up – sure I had slept through the alarm. I took a quick peek at the clock to see how late I was – 11:10 PM. I went through the routine again – fluffing, straightening, closing eyes and then jumping up to check the alarm – 12:00 AM, 1:15, 1:35, 1:55, 2:23, 3:07, 3:44. All night long the numbers mocked my efforts to rest.
The alarm jarred me from a deep sleep – 4:30 AM. I had gotten only 46 minutes of deep sleep. Now I had to get dressed, run downstairs and meet Dad at the garage. We were off for a fishing trip – just him and me. Yes, my excitement had kept my mind working all night long. The anticipation of the joy of the event, the anticipation of the bonding we would experience, the anticipation of the fish I would catch took away the rest I needed.
Over the years I experienced restless nights many times – vacation trips, wedding days, first classroom filled with pupils, birth of the children and election nights head the list. Each of us have experienced the tossing and turning of anticipation, excitement before a significant event.
So it will be on Saturday night. For Sunday is the start of the 98th Michigan District Convention. Hours, days, weeks, and months of preparation will be played out in just four short days. That which seemed as if would never come is here – is now. Saturday night will be one of anticipation – excitement – wondering. Questions will pop out of the darkness – Did I order enough food? Is the AV equipment satisfactory? Will the delegates really listen? Will anyone stay to see the Ministry Tent? Will there be enough beer? Will it rain? Will the rooms be adequate? What if the bulb burns out on the projector? What if all of the teachers show up to attend? What will I wear?
Yes, for many - Saturday night will pass all too slowly.
Ah, but next week at this time the convention will be over. The glitches, the worries, the unexpected will all be history. The grounds will be cleaned, the rooms cleaned and the collective memories of the delegates will remember only that which was important to them individually. The resolutions will be recorded and reported. The handout bag will be filled and filed. The life of the Michigan District will continue – all the better for the gathering of the delegates in convention – sharing, debating, discussing and praying. The 99th convention of the Michigan District will be in the planning stages – building on the events of the 98th.
The question could then be asked – why? Why would thousands of man hours, thousands of dollars and many sleepless nights be dedicated to a four day event?
St. Paul gives a glimpse of an answer as he writes in Philemon, “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”
The District Convention is not just a four day event – a four day party. The Convention is an opportunity to share with one another – hear about the victories won in the name of Jesus – through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a time to have one’s faith strengthened and tested through debates, speakers, sermons, devotions, songs, Holy Communion and prayer. It is a time to experience the diversity of means and unity of purpose as we celebrate new missions – new outreach posts in the war against Satan.
We share the good things we have in Christ. We have been redeemed! We have had our debt paid – our sins have been washed in the blood of the Lamb of Calvary. We have the hope of heaven. We have the assurance of His presence – every day, every night, even when we toss and turn with anticipation or worry – He is there!
We are refreshed. Our minds are at peace as the Holy Spirit infuses us with His peace – the peace that passes all human understanding. We can look the world in the eye and smile – for the world would have us doubt – rejoice in our worries. We can claim His peace now – for eternity.
We are ready. God has gifted us – gifted the churches in Michigan – with every good and perfect gift needed to share the Gospel. Yes, we can reach out with the hands of compassion – the hands of caring – the hands of sharing. We share our goods, we share our money, we share our passion for the Lord. We are ready to help expand the Kingdom – one soul at a time.
“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers.” Thank you for all you do for the convention – the churches – the members – the Lord.
The clock numbers glowed – 11:00 PM. I turned and fluffed the pillow. I stretched under the sheets, straightened the blanket and laid my head down. I closed my eyes and concentrated on my breathing. Breathing is a good thing – in, out – in, hold it, out – in, out. I relaxed my muscles. I breathed. I willed my mind to turn off – to be still – to allow me the needed rest sleep would bring.
I sat up – sure I had slept through the alarm. I took a quick peek at the clock to see how late I was – 11:10 PM. I went through the routine again – fluffing, straightening, closing eyes and then jumping up to check the alarm – 12:00 AM, 1:15, 1:35, 1:55, 2:23, 3:07, 3:44. All night long the numbers mocked my efforts to rest.
The alarm jarred me from a deep sleep – 4:30 AM. I had gotten only 46 minutes of deep sleep. Now I had to get dressed, run downstairs and meet Dad at the garage. We were off for a fishing trip – just him and me. Yes, my excitement had kept my mind working all night long. The anticipation of the joy of the event, the anticipation of the bonding we would experience, the anticipation of the fish I would catch took away the rest I needed.
Over the years I experienced restless nights many times – vacation trips, wedding days, first classroom filled with pupils, birth of the children and election nights head the list. Each of us have experienced the tossing and turning of anticipation, excitement before a significant event.
So it will be on Saturday night. For Sunday is the start of the 98th Michigan District Convention. Hours, days, weeks, and months of preparation will be played out in just four short days. That which seemed as if would never come is here – is now. Saturday night will be one of anticipation – excitement – wondering. Questions will pop out of the darkness – Did I order enough food? Is the AV equipment satisfactory? Will the delegates really listen? Will anyone stay to see the Ministry Tent? Will there be enough beer? Will it rain? Will the rooms be adequate? What if the bulb burns out on the projector? What if all of the teachers show up to attend? What will I wear?
Yes, for many - Saturday night will pass all too slowly.
Ah, but next week at this time the convention will be over. The glitches, the worries, the unexpected will all be history. The grounds will be cleaned, the rooms cleaned and the collective memories of the delegates will remember only that which was important to them individually. The resolutions will be recorded and reported. The handout bag will be filled and filed. The life of the Michigan District will continue – all the better for the gathering of the delegates in convention – sharing, debating, discussing and praying. The 99th convention of the Michigan District will be in the planning stages – building on the events of the 98th.
The question could then be asked – why? Why would thousands of man hours, thousands of dollars and many sleepless nights be dedicated to a four day event?
St. Paul gives a glimpse of an answer as he writes in Philemon, “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”
The District Convention is not just a four day event – a four day party. The Convention is an opportunity to share with one another – hear about the victories won in the name of Jesus – through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a time to have one’s faith strengthened and tested through debates, speakers, sermons, devotions, songs, Holy Communion and prayer. It is a time to experience the diversity of means and unity of purpose as we celebrate new missions – new outreach posts in the war against Satan.
We share the good things we have in Christ. We have been redeemed! We have had our debt paid – our sins have been washed in the blood of the Lamb of Calvary. We have the hope of heaven. We have the assurance of His presence – every day, every night, even when we toss and turn with anticipation or worry – He is there!
We are refreshed. Our minds are at peace as the Holy Spirit infuses us with His peace – the peace that passes all human understanding. We can look the world in the eye and smile – for the world would have us doubt – rejoice in our worries. We can claim His peace now – for eternity.
We are ready. God has gifted us – gifted the churches in Michigan – with every good and perfect gift needed to share the Gospel. Yes, we can reach out with the hands of compassion – the hands of caring – the hands of sharing. We share our goods, we share our money, we share our passion for the Lord. We are ready to help expand the Kingdom – one soul at a time.
“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers.” Thank you for all you do for the convention – the churches – the members – the Lord.