There is a naked honesty in its description of the writer’s personal calling to be a priest vs. the professional ambition to rise higher in the church hierarchy which I also find refreshing. It must have been painful to be nominated three times yet told ‘no’ every time. That kind of thing wounds a person’s faith in him/herself and perhaps even a little bit in faith itself.

To rediscover the fullness of one’s love for serving God and ministering to congregants in priesthood after those disappointing experiences — and to share that journey with us the readers — must have been a challenge for the writer, but it should be required reading for all priests and church leaders. Having worked with leaders in other sectors, I even see the article’s relevance to professionals outside the church.

We so rarely see such articles that come from a priest’s own soul — honest about the mundane, as well as the pain, the joy, and the reasons why they continue to serve. Thanks to David Harrison for having pulled back the curtain and trusted that his testimony as written here will inspire and bless others. It will.