The Upload
Posted on Feb 13, 2015 by
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
I pray you have had a blessed week!
This time of year, time moves so quickly in the church. I mean, it seems like just yesterday that we were celebrating Christmas and now, in just a few days, we will gather to begin the Season of Lent. Yes, Ash Wednesday is next week. That means that this Sunday our men’s ministry groups will be holding their Shrove Sunday pancake breakfast. In just a couple of weeks I will begin our First Communion class for our 2nd graders, and we will stop singing “Alleluia” in worship until Easter morning. Time seems to be going so fast these days.
For me, Lent also signals that spring is near, and that means that soon those barren farm fields that seem so lifeless right now will be ready to once again bring forth new life and a bounty of food. Right now, those fields look like there is no way they could grow wheat, vegetables, or even weeds, but with the right amount of gifts from God (water and nutrients) as well as care from the farmer (tilling, planting, weeding, etc.), these same fields will become abundant signs of life as we enter spring. God is working on his part right now, and soon the farmers will begin their work and soon create abundant life.
Lent is that season in which we should be doing the same things with our lives. Lent is a time we seek to intentionally cooperate with the grace of God to promote and nurture new life in our lives and in the world. By intentionally taking time to study God’s word, participate in special worship services, and perform acts of charity and service, we tend to the plot of land God has given us. We till and plant (reflecting on our lives, confessing our sins, and turning with expectation toward God’s promises). We weed (repent) and grow (renew).
Yes, as we enter Lent, we seek to reconnect to Christ and one another. What will you do to cooperate with God’s grace and nurture new life? Jesus offers us his love freely, so we could just watch and wait for spiritual growth. But, as any good farmer knows, seeds of faith grow better with intentional love rather than lukewarm care. I pray this Lenten Season is one of intentional spiritual growth for all of you.
Have a blessed week.
Shalom,
Pastor Dave