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THURSDAY, JUNE 23,2005
Our View
Walking with
the Lord
Putting aside one's own personal religious affiliations or beliefs, there is much to be said for those men and women who have dedicated their lives to being ambassadors for their faith. One of those, Rev. Merlin Shorb, Sr., will be retiring after serving as the pastor of the Rappahannock Methodist Charge which includes churches in Sperryville, Flint Hill, and Willis Chapel. Rev. Shorb has served this community as a spiritual leader for more than a decade. No doubt the combined worship service followed by a pot luck dinner this Sunday will be packed as many plan to come and celebrate his ministry. Dedicating your life to anything is demanding enough but dedicating yourself to the service of God requires a special sort of stamina and inner strength and grace that is a “calling” reserved for the very few. You'll know them when you shake their hand, exchange gentle smiles or share raucous laughter, are lifted by their words, encouraged by their advice or touched by their own human foibles. There are times when you will be privileged and blessed to have shared their company and felt a special “chill” because something other worldly, perhaps spiritual, has touched your mind and heart. As our world gets more complex and the meaning of everything seems to come into question, let’s celebrate those who have partnered in a special way with God.
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