The Rector's Column - October 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters,  

“So, now what?,” or perhaps, “What now?” These seem fitting expressions for several situations. The thought is natural once a person has finished a project or completed a goal. It may be the thought that accompanies the decision to retire. It’s suitable when one loses a job. It also fits when there’s one more vehicle breakdown. Or health issue. Or bill. It also fits when there are decisions to make, and a new possibility arises – which way to go? Major life events bring us to ask this sort of question. 

These aren’t trivial questions, and they’re often thrust upon us. It is even more profound when what we’ve “always” known or been living is unexpectedly taken from us. 

The second question comes when events seem to overtake us in wave after wave. At the same time, some normal and anticipated moments of change also arise – such as the change in leadership in the diocese. In every one of these cases, there is a moment to wonder how to respond or in which direction to go. This can be especially true when there isn’t an obvious answer or direction from scripture or the Lord. What then? Sometimes we simply have to wait. 

This waiting, though, isn’t passive or simply to be resigned or to be numb or disengaged. Instead, in the midst of the unknown, we call the truth to mind – we are people of hope and we are in the hand of the Lord. John’s gospel tells us Jesus’ words – that he is the good shepherd who knows us, cares for us, and speaks to us. Even more, he promised that no one, nothing, can snatch us from his hand (John 10:28). Whatever we feel or whatever is going on or how unknown the future or the next moment may seem, we are still securely in the hand of God. Romans 8 reminds us of this same thing. Nothing can take us away from the Lord or His love for us. The uncertainty of not knowing what is to come or what we should do is not new to our age. Nor is the wonderment of when the Lord is going to do what He has said He would (or what we might want of Him). Paul used the example of Abraham when he wrote to the Romans about faith (chapter 4). Abraham and Sarah waited decades to receive the presence of the promise. Through the waiting they held on to the promise and to the certainty that their future was secure in the Lord. 

This Sunday, October 5, our first scripture reading is from the book of the prophet Habakkuk. At the beginning of chapter 2, he was told by the Lord the there remained the vision for the appointed time. With that is an important injunction: “If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:3). It can be very hard to wait and uncertainty can be exhausting. In these moments we can be deceived into despair or to act presumptuously. 

So, we are thrown back on waiting. Our waiting rests on these truths from scripture. It is ok to ask the Lord for direction, to act on our behalf, for revelation. We do so not out of angst or control, but with the intent to follow His will. We choose to rest in His grace and promise. We know and trust that timing can be very important, and that His is the best. It is in these very moments that we most need to choose to lay down our anxiety and to rest on the Lord, to seek His presence, to worship Him. 

Take a moment and meditate on David’s words in Psalm 37:3-7. 

The Lord be with you,  

+Fraser  

The Rt. Rev. Fraser Lawton, Rector and Assistant Bishop, Diocese of Dallas