“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?” – Matthew 6
In March as the days finally grow longer and all the flowers start to bloom, hope can spring up in us that perhaps we too will blossom. We have been buried in the cocoon of the work of our transition for a while now, and we still have a ways to go. Our Call Committee is beginning their work with Pastor Andy Yee – assistant to the bishop from our synod office. We have been asked to pray for them daily as they meet and make decisions that will impact our life together, and how we navigate God’s will for us in the world. That seems like a doable task, no?
Lent encourages introspection and observation. I love the passage from the Gospel of Matthew about worry, and how it reminds me to put things in perspective. I often feel there are things I can control, and things I can’t. Mostly though, I can’t.
And as Lent and Good Friday remind us,
it’s best to turn toward God and remember to put our trust in God’s will, rather than our mortal wisdom.
As a congregation of people who have been brought together at this time and this place by the movement of God’s spirit in our lives, it behooves us to take this season of Lent and this burgeoning of spring to pause, breathe, and settle. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Sit in the warm sun and be comforted. As you do, remember Jesus’ time in the desert. Pray for stamina for yourself and this congregation.
Get up close to a budding tree where you can see the brightness of the new life. Pray for the growth you are feeling as a person, and that we are feeling as a congregation.
Walk near a body of water and listen to its movement. Pray that your spirit would be renewed for life and endurance.
Help someone accomplish something that has no benefit for you. Pray, and remember how much God has done for you.
We are exactly where we are meant to be in this moment, and God is with us.
Blessed Lent!