It’s a new year, and I love new beginnings. For me, there’s renewed energy and excitement about the unknown adventures that lay ahead.
A new year also means I revisit the Wesleyan Covenant Prayer. It was adapted by John Wesley at a covenant renewal service held on August 11, 1755, in London, England. Later, he encouraged Christians to mark each new year with this prayer of renewal.
I am no longer my own but yours.
Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing, put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you or laid aside for you,
exalted for you or brought low for you;
let me be full, let me be empty,
let me have all things, let me have nothing:
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours. So be it.
And the covenant now made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.
This year brings exciting changes for me and some of my colleagues. I have transitioned into a new role with the H.E. Butt Foundation as the Executive Director of Laity Lodge Camping Programs. For six years I served as the Senior Director at LLFC and now I will be working to oversee the LLYC program along with the LLFC program.
Through the process, I have prayed something like the second line of the Covenant Prayer: “Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will.” I certainly don’t have this figured out, but I am open. I am excited about this new work the Lord has called me to do.
In addition, my colleagues have been called to new work with me. Dayton Whites is our new LLYC Director at Singing Hills, and Kelsie Wessels is our new LLFC Director. These are two very capable leaders and dear friends.
I am very thankful that the Lord has chosen to “rank” me with these people, in these roles. I am thankful that the Lord has seen fit to “put” me to this work.
I hope the same for each of you. I pray that you and your families have renewed energy and excitement for the unknown adventures that lay ahead this year.
This January, let’s pray together for the Lord to “Put us to what you will. Rank us with whom you will.”
— Cary Hendricks
