Standing at the headwaters of the Mississippi River was a "bucket list" moment for me. As the 2007 movie of that title reveals, a bucket list is a list of the things you'd like to do before you kick it...the bucket. I'd never thought about it this way, but I'd always wanted to see the spot where the mighty Mississippi begins. And so, on a beautiful day in 2009, here it was.

Some have been disappointed to find that the start of this mighty river is so not mighty! Compare the beginning to the middle: Fly over Memphis, Tennessee and you will see the river there is gigantic. The beginning is pretty small, but I was not disappointed. Quite to the contrary-I was thrilled.

Lake Itasca is a beautiful lake. The setting is stunning, and the start of the river is a simple stream rushing over rocks and coming out of the lake right there in front of you. It's beautiful. But, it seems to me that this is not really the beginning at all. There's so much water in the lake itself, and the lake is fed by streams which has led to lengthy debate as to whether or not this really is the beginning of the river, but I'll let that go. It is. Period. But is it? My question quickly became: Is the beginning really the beginning?

It seems to me that beginnings are preceded by something. Something caused the beginning to...uh... begin. The Bible says in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. I love that. I love that about the God we serve. There's a beginning to everything He has made but there is no beginning to Him. He is eternal (both ways!) and He invites us into His eternity even as He calls us into life as part of His creation. I know-it's mind-boggling. I'm boggled even as I try to write about it.

If you are at the beginning of something, remember all that has gone into getting you to where you are now. Put all your beginnings in perspective and give thanks to God that He is the God of all beginnings.

Here's one: Think about the beginning of a whole new structure for a synod. A lot of good work, sacrifice, giving, faith, and fellowship have flowed into something that is just "beginning." As we move ahead in our "new beginnings" we are, in many ways, simply continuing to build upon a rich history as we answer God's call to mission today. But you already knew that.

Bruce Stumbo serves on the pastoral team at Bethel LBC in Grand Forks, ND and is Editor of Faith & Fellowship magazine.

By Bruce Stumbo

Rev. Bruce Stumbo serves Inspiration LBC as Interim Pastor. He is also the author of the B-Log (Bruce Log).

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