Recently I marked the eleventh anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood. Following are a few things I have learned along the way. Some are serious, some are very much tongue-in-cheek; you can decide which is which. The lessons are in no particular order; it is all rather stream of consciousness. With that preamble, here goes.

If you are not able to confront your own inadequacy, your own sin, your own hardness of heart constantly, run from the priesthood.

Anglicanism is a mess. Get used to it. So is every other expression of the faith, by the way. But, as far as I can tell, God has not yet given up on the Church; nor should we. Anglicanism is my mess, and I love it.

It is important sometimes just to keep things simple: say your prayers, go to Church, remember God. I think that advice was from Fr. Thomas Hopko’s mother when he was about to leave home for seminary. When in doubt just “do the red and say the black.” For those wondering about that last line, the rubrics (instructions) in the Prayer Book were once printed in red: do them. The text to be said is printed in black: say that. “Do the red and say the black” is a caution against making things up as you go. Stick with the sacred tradition and its proven way of life and you won’t go wrong. It’s all so much simpler that way.

Word and Sacrament are the anchors of faith. Hold fast to them. And they will hold you fast.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. When you have mastered this, come teach me, please. It is a constant struggle.

I enjoy the idea of clerical obedience far more than the reality of clerical obedience, but I benefit from the reality of clerical obedience far more than from the idea of clerical obedience.

It is possible to be blessed by one’s enemies. They can drive you to your knees in repentance and into the arms of God for shelter. And it is possible to love them, to pray for those who persecute you, and to forgive them even before reconciliation, even when reconciliation seems — and may be — humanly impossible.

Humans are fearfully and wonderfully made and the image of God in them often shines through with a near blinding brilliance if we just look with eyes of faith. That so many keep putting one foot in front of the other along the Way given the burdens they bear — and all are bearing burdens — is astounding, is inexplicable but for the presence of Christ in them. Prepare to be in awe of your parishioners.

Sin is dull and boring; righteousness is glimmering and adventurous.

We have an enemy, the ancient foe. But he is no match for our Champion. In fact, he is already defeated and does what damage he does only as he thrashes around in the throes of death.

Prayer is hard. Prayer is essential. Prayer is hard. I’ve heard there are experts at it. I have never met one. If you struggle, be of good cheer. I know of no one who feels his prayer life is adequate.

A priest’s wife shares the weight of his ministry and makes that ministry possible. Is it fair? It is the reality.

It is possible to be a Christian and a priest and still be a jerk. See Facebook for details.

We Christians — and yes, we priests — spend too much time arguing about things of which we are almost totally ignorant, mechanics confused by stories and wanting schematics when gloriously rich metaphors are on offer.

Preaching is unfair. When it is good, God gets the credit. When it is bad the preacher gets the blame.

The most searching theological questions are often posed right as the processional hymn begins.

Unity and purity of faith are both essential and seemingly mutually exclusive.

What you know is important; how you love is essential.

The answer to almost every Why? question about God is twofold: (1) because he loves us and (2) for us and for our salvation.

Listen always. Speak when necessary.

Being the servant of the servants of God is a blessing and honor of which I am and will remain unworthy.