Seminole Winds
Windows down, the smell of jasmine, bare-feet on the dash, and John Anderson blaring on the radio while crossing the Florida-Georgia line was my experience of the south as a kid. Here I am once again, only now I’m committing the Seminole winds and planting roots here in Southwest Florida. To be honest, it still hasn’t fully sunk in that I’ve arrived, but it will. I am grateful for the “easing-in” mentality and appreciate Lamb of God’s welcome and hospitality.
If you pay attention to the lyrics, Seminole Winds is a beautiful song. I understand that it's about the plight of the Seminole Indians, but for me, it also represents the winds of change. I recall singing along to this country classic while thinking about my future. The Seminole winds swirled all around then, and landed me here.
I wonder what is the last major life change that you’ve gone through and what lessons you learned from that experience? Although change is inevitable, it requires a lot of prayerfulness, intentionality, and grit to ensure that change leads way to progress. As our Native American siblings can attest, progress isn’t really progress if people are left out of the vision. Today, chief Osceola and native people exemplify the values of perseverance, determination, and strength when counted out and unheard.
As a pastoral leader, I’m listening closely to the voices in the background. I want to be sure everyone is heard and brought along in this journey of being Lamb of God. My door is always open and I encourage you to bring both a gentle breeze and a mighty gust as you follow the Holy Spirit winds.
Becoming Lamb of God’s new pastor sparks major life changes for me. It’s all really exciting, but it also that requires lots of adjusting. I appreciate your patience and please know that I can’t wait to begin building deep and meaningful relationships within the church and beyond. It is uncharted territory we are heading in to together. I’m confident that when we give in to the Seminole winds, God will lead us to places unimaginable. The sky is the limit!
Blow, blow Seminole wind,
Pr. Lucas
Photo by Jonas Geschke