“Andrew, come in here and shut the door.”
“Okay, Chris. What’s up?”
“I need to know when you’re coming back from Thanksgiving.”
“Ummmm, I plan to come back on Saturday afternoon.”
“Perfect, I need you to upload some stuff on Sunday morning.”
“Huh?”
“Here’s the deal: you can’t tell anyone about this, but a pastoral candidate will be announced that Sunday, and we need to place his info online then.”
“Sweet.”

---

Later that week….
“So, Andrew, I’ve heard that we’re getting a new pastor. Have you heard anything about it?”
“A new pastor…really?”
“Yea, I guess you don’t know anything.”
“I wish I knew something.”

---

It was agonizing to avoid the questions. I had such good news that I couldn’t share.

---

“Andrew, come check this out.”
“Check what out?”
“Now remember you can’t tell anyone. I mean no one at all.”
“Sure. My lips are sealed.”
“What do you think of Jacque’s design?” [Shows printed piece]
“It’s nice. I like the blue gradient and the boxes.”

---

About the new pastor: “So, Andrew, do you know who it is?”
“Ummm. No.”
“Would you tell me if you did?”
“No.”
“You know, don’t you?”
[Winks]
“You know, for the past few weeks, I’ve known that we’re getting a new pastor. And for the past week, I’ve known who is coming. I’ve been so excited at the news, but I couldn’t tell anyone. It stinks.
“But every day of my life for the past 15+ years, I’ve had better news than this, yet I don’t share it with the same passion that I want to share this good news. That’s sad to me because the things I say I believe don’t actually translate into how I live my life. I say Christ is great, but I treat him like a big secret I don’t want to tell.”

---

Time passed and I was able to share my good news about our new pastor. It was quite cathartic. I kept the secret. It was tough.

---

Recently, I’ve learned of more great news. And like the past, it’s another secret to keep for another month of my life.
But I look forward to telling you about this one too. And I look forward to sharing the greatest secret in life.