By Michael Durrance

Last year, Mary Brooke and I were watching her daughter Sophia in the Gathering Space as she darted around the church, making sure she got to meet every one of her friends before they could leave.

"You know what, Michael," she said, "I think you should come teach Godly Play."

I did not contain my laughter. "Mary Brooke, I don't have kids. Probably never will. I'm known as the 'Wine Guy" in most of my church circles. I don't know any of the parents. They don't know me. I've never done anything with kids! I plan on doing a lot for this church before I'm through, but I never planned on doing anything, really, with the children."

Mary Brooke smiled, touched my arm, and met my eyes. "Michael, none of that matters. I know you. You're exactly who we need."

I realized it wasn't my good friend who was doing the asking, and the Lord wasn't so concerned about whatever plan I had in mind.

Now serving my last few months on Vestry, I've seen a lot of plans. Strategic plans. Budget plans. Construction plans. Ministry plans. Landscaping plans. I've even learned a new church word, "discern," which, I think, is church-speak for "planning to plan."

As well-devised as these plans are, I can still struggle with handing 10% of each paycheck over to see them through. It's a lot easier and more fun to pay for a great EMF dinner, or a fun Fish Fry auction party, or some delectable treats at the Bake-Off. But thousands of dollars a year for…ugh… planning?  That 10% we give can appear simply to vanish when we can't see and taste its fruit.

In the Greek that Paul used to write this letter to Corinth, the word for "holy" is hagios. The Greek word means to make a thing distinguished, set apart, special. In the same way we prepare for worship by setting aside our certain food and wine, so too do we worship when we set aside our treasure for God. When we set aside our tithe – when we carefully designate that portion of God's generosity toward us back to him – that is holy work!

We don't know all the details, but we do know what God has planned for Transfiguration – his Son already told us! The poor, the hungry, the fearful, the curious, and the disillusioned are coming to our door. When God escorts these most blessed to us, will we be ready? Will he find you have prepared to help us serve them?

I think he will. He knows you. You're exactly what we need.