4 January 2044

Dear Sam,

Your words deeply moved me. Thank you for sharing your heart and confiding in me. I’m burdened by the many challenges you describe in your letter but also encouraged that God has set you apart for this work. Local church youth ministries have such a significant part to play in the coming of God’s Kingdom, especially during these difficult times in our country.

I do marvel at God’s intimate care for you. Orchestrating Nicole’s attendance of the Sunday service, the preacher’s text of Matthew 11:28-30, and the prompting of the Holy Spirit which led her to pray for you. Nicole is a beautiful witness of a life surrendered to Jesus. It’s been too long since I last saw her.

You know, it’s not easy to be vulnerable as a leader. Many leaders remain ‘weary and carrying heavy burdens’ because of their pride. As my good friend Karabo says, “Peter, what good is a starving Shepherd to hungry sheep?” If only I had listened to his wise words earlier. But that is a story for another time.

Nicole is gracious in suggesting you reach out to me. I can hear that she has spoken too well of me! And, you are kind to accept my analog form of communication. I will take some time over the next few weeks to respond to what you’ve shared in your letter and then let’s see what the Lord has in mind.

Perhaps a helpful picture to hold before us as we begin this journey is one found in the story from Luke 24:13-34. You know, the one which takes place on the Sunday of Jesus’ resurrection. Luke tells us that “two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus” (v.13) and “talking about everything that had happened” (v.14), when “Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them” (v.15), “explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (v.27).

I like that picture. I believe we are just like those two followers, sharing our hearts and it comforts me to know that as we write to one another, Jesus will join the conversation.

Now, I’m not sure what your expectations are for this year, or what you’ve already discussed with our Lord but maybe we should both be so bold to pray that what happened all those years ago on a dusty road would happen again: “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” (v.32).

Pete