Be who you are

Brian Konkol leads a small-group workshop at the Global Village Camp.

Originally published July 20, 2012, at Brian & Kristen Konkol. Republished with the permission of the author. The Konkols are former ELCA missionaries.

A few weeks ago I participated in Global Village Camp, an event sponsored by the Companion Synod/Global Mission Task Force of the East Central Synod of Wisconsin, ELCA, and Crossways Camping Ministries. The camp was attended by people of various generational, cultural and religious perspectives, and included participants from South Africa, India, Ethiopia, China and Uganda.

Among other things, I was asked to make a keynote address, lead Bible studies, and facilitate a number of small-group workshops. While much can be said about the overall insights gained through this wonderful experience of fellowship, one portion of the event — a conversation with the young people in attendance — provided many sparks for continued thought and prayer as Kristen and I pass through this incredible period of transition from South Africa to North America.

Specifically, one of the workshops during Global Village Camp surrounded the topic of youth and discernment, and I was pleased to observe such a large number of interested participants. As the conversation began, I asked those gathered to define the term “discernment,” and what ensued was a dynamic dialogue surrounding the connections of life, faith, identity and daily actions. As the workshop progressed, and as the young people grew in confidence to share their views more openly, I realized that I was being shaped deeply by the experience, and once again I — the so-called “teacher/facilitator/leader” — became a humbled “student/learner/receiver” sitting at the feet of gifted young people. In other words, as has happened at various other times in my life, I realized that Jesus was not joking when he told adults to become more like children!

In the days following Global Village Camp, I realized that youth-inspired insights on discernment could not have come at a better time, for over the past months Kristen and I have thought and prayed long and hard about the next steps of our lives after years of service with the ELCA in Guyana and South Africa. Since our return to North America, I have experienced many twists and turns, far too many sleepless nights, and countless words of advice from a wide variety of sources. In the midst of it all, while I am indeed appreciative of the wonderful words of wisdom gathered from many trusted friends, family members and ministry colleagues, I recognize that the best insights gifted to me were from the young people who participated at Global Village Camp. In addition to the enjoyment I received from participating in their presence, they offered hope, inspiration and a glimpse of the peace that surpasses all understanding.

In reflection upon my conversation with the young people at Global Village Camp, I recently sat alone and wrote the following words:

Always.
Everywhere.
Be who you are.
Created in the Image and Likeness of God.
Marked by the Cross of Christ.
Sealed by the Holy Spirit.
Be who you are.
Always.
Everywhere.

As someone who tends to find — and enjoy — the complexities in most things, I was reminded that one of the joys of being “childlike” is recognition that certain aspects of life can be simple and straightforward. In other words, over-analysis in discernment can lead to awful paralysis in vocation! While one could write hundreds of pages about discernment processes — as many have — and I would agree that such in-depth looks can be helpful, what I appreciate from the young people at Global Village Camp was a refreshing ease to how being and doing are intimately and intricately related, and we should resist the temptation to super-scrutinize and compartmentalize our lives into various “dresser drawers,” as if our “faith clothes” can be separated from our work clothes, play clothes, family clothes and so forth.

One of the lessons I learned from the young people was that, instead of organizing the various aspects of our adult lives into nice, neat and separate dresser-drawers, perhaps our lives are to be perceived more like a bicycle wheel, and while each spoke has a role in shaping the wheel, it all comes back to the center. While there are many influences that shape who we are, there is one influence at the center that matters most of all — the wonderful reality that we are created in the image and likeness of God, marked by the cross of Christ, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Always. Everywhere.

I believe such thoughts are helpful in countless ways, for there are numerous times in life when we are called upon to make massive choices that alter the course of our journey: Should I attend college, and if so, where should I attend? Should I get married, and if so, to whom? Can I share the truth of my sexuality with loved ones, or must I remain silent? What occupation should I pursue? Should I have children? Can my marriage be saved, or is divorce a reality? What should I do about my illness? What happens to my family after I die?

While such questions do indeed possess life-changing consequences, we also recognize that it is often the daily actions that shape us as well: Should I drive, walk or bike today? What should I eat and drink today? Should I attend the party today? Should I share time with my children today? Should I exercise today? Should I put in a few extra hours at the office today? Should I get involved in the community today? Should I donate for the sake of others today? Should I find ways to assist those less fortunate today? As the young people at Global Village Camp reminded me, it is often the so-called “smaller” daily decisions that have a deeper impact on our lives than the so-called “larger” ones, thus discernment, identity and recognition of God’s amazing grace and calling impact such decisions — and priorities — both large and small, each and every day.

As for Kristen and I, we are delighted to announce that our ongoing discernment has led to a move from South Africa to Madison, Wis., and I am energized to share that I have accepted a call to serve as co-pastor of Lake Edge Lutheran Church. My “opening day” will be Sept. 9. When I consider the fullness of who God is calling me to be and what God is calling me to do, I can think of no better place to be than Lake Edge Lutheran Church, a place that “dares to embody the Gospel” of Jesus, and in doing so, strives to restore community through radical hospitality by showing mercy, love and inclusivity through worship, service and stewardship. I look forward to serving alongside Stephen Marsh, who will be my co-pastor, and I fully anticipate many faithful and fruitful years of animation, facilitation and agitation alongside the congregation and community. My heart burns within me as we step closer toward the first week of September. I look forward to this amazing opportunity.

All together, as Kristen and I embark on this new chapter in our lives, I wish to thank those young people in attendance at Global Village Camp. I thank God for you, and I thank God for meeting you. In addition, I wish to express my deep appreciation to those in Guyana and South Africa whom I was blessed to serve alongside. I thank God for your love and support, I look forward to our continued connections, and I ask for your ongoing thoughts and prayers, this day and always.

To those at Lake Edge Lutheran Church whom I will meet for the first time at 9:00 a.m. on Sept. 9, I recognize and value the sacred trust of serving as your co-pastor, and I promise to give you all that I am, nothing more, nothing less. To my family and friends who have walked this journey of transition with Kristen and me over the past months, my hope is that you already know the special place you hold in my heart, and as always, I pray that my life of faith will make you proud and transform our world into a better place. And finally, to those in Madison, the state of Wisconsin, and throughout North America and the global village that I have yet to meet, I will indeed be seeing you soon, I look forward to our continued walk together, and I am excited for all that God will do “to us” and “through us.”

Always.
Everywhere.

Be who you are.

Created in the Image and Likeness of God.
Marked by the Cross of Christ.
Sealed by the Holy Spirit.

Be who you are.

Always.
Everywhere.

Find a link to Brian Konkol’s blog Brian & Kristen Konkol at Lutheran Blogs.

You might also want to read:
Discernment or decision?
Thoughts on internship
Turning points