Hearing the respective stories of Jer and Jesse quickly made me feel inadequate for the work ahead. But I had to remind myself that my journey and my story is uniquely my own. Where I find my place, where I’m rooted, how I see my identity, provide the framework in where I’m called to action. I can’t appropriate the ache and call of others as it wouldn’t be genuine work that I may be called towards. I’m still not sure how to narrow my ache to then provide a clear call. However, I’m learning to sit in this unknown, having hope that as I listen and learn it will one day soon be evident, and I’m quite okay with this.

Perhaps this odd sense of calm in the face of uncertainty comes from my Ash Wednesday self-reflection. Although I may be dust, and one day I will return to dust, following in the way of Jesus still reminds me that my life is not without meaning, but in partnering with Christ and others, something good and life-giving can come if I’m willing to submit. Submit my sense of inadequacy. Submit the idea of not belonging. And submit to whatever else may hinder me from believing that I can do the work of peacemaking in a world that desperately needs it. This leads to a sense of hope. I’m hopeful because of this opportunity.