Simply Soul Searching

COME AND SEE!

John 1:35-39 (NRSV)

³⁵ The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, ³⁶ and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” ³⁷ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. ³⁸ When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” ³⁹ He said to them, “Come and see.” 

 “We have what we seek, it is there all the time, and if we give it time, it will make itself known to us.” – Thomas Merton

We all tend to notice different things, don’t we? My grandson points out different models of cars. I notice cars… if they are blue. Jim describes a location using landmarks such as a gas station or hardware store. I’m clueless until he names a bookstore, restaurant or craft shop. In a library, my daughter is drawn to historical fiction books, while I move right to the spirituality section. What we notice is largely influenced by what we seek.

Jesus invited his new disciples to “Come and see.” All through the gospels, Jesus is encouraging us to come and see- to experience his life and love, not just learn about it. Jesus also tells us that the kingdom of heaven has come near (Matthew 4:17). He is telling us that we can experience the kingdom of heaven right here, right now! We can be active participants in kingdom living in this very moment. Through the Spirit, God is moving in us and around us, all the time. We only have to notice.

Do we make the effort to come and see? Do we expect to experience Jesus’ life and love in our lives? Our focus is often redirected to the earthly stories that assail and distract us. We then miss out on the kingdom story that is also being told. Or we focus on the things that interest us, and overlook the things that Jesus wants us to be interested in.

So our Lenten discipline for today is expectation. Today, let’s expect to see God working in our lives. Let’s remain attentive and aware, watching and listening. Let’s anticipate glimpses of kingdom living right here on earth. May we be expectant and ready to participate.

The symbol for today is a pair of glasses (or sunglasses). This will help remind us to watch for God’s movement, to keep our eyes on the kingdom, and to be focused and attentive for Christ among us. Jesus invites us to “Come and see.” Let’s expect to do so!

Loving Jesus,

Thank you for assuring me that the kingdom is here and now. Thank you for inviting me to come and see- to participate in this kingdom with you! Help me to be watchful and expectant. Keep me from worldly distractions. I long to see where you are moving and to eagerly join you. Amen.

James 1:2-4 (NRSV)

Consider it pure joy… when you are involved in various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But you must let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

Resilience- spirit, strength, hardiness, flexibility, pliability (from the Microsoft Word Thesaurus)

Here in West Virginia, we’ve enjoyed an unusually mild winter, with warmer temperatures and very little snow. Trees are already budding, daffodils are blooming, new shoots are sprouting up in gardens, and grass is greening. But now we have been surprised by a windy cold front. Frost has covered the ground, and the newly sprouting plants and blooming trees are suffering. The strong wind has even broken branches and uprooted trees.

Nature speaks to us of life, doesn’t it? We can be enjoying days of peace and serenity, success and smooth-sailing, joy and celebration. Life is good. And then suddenly, a cold front blows into our lives, wounding and even uprooting our plans and dreams.

But nature also provides survival lessons. Plants are best able to endure harsh weather by being resilient. Plants are flexible, swaying with the wind. They are spirited, turning to face the sunshine. They are pliable, drooping with the rain but rising again after the storm has passed. Plants are hardy, shedding leaves and blooms in order to survive, but sprouting and growing again in order to thrive.

Our Lenten focus for today is resilience. These verses from James not only encourage us to be resilient when we face hardships; we are to “consider it pure joy!” Why? Resilience makes us better equipped to weather difficult times. The difficult times then strengthen our endurance. And in the end, we will be “mature and complete, lacking nothing.”

How might we be resilient? We grow more flexible as we move with the Spirit through the trials that blow into our lives. We turn our faces to the warmth of God’s love when we are feeling the chill of challenges. We become pliable by bowing humbly before God when the rains of troubles fall. We rise again by leaning on God’s help and healing. We become hardier as we learn to embrace and grow- or surrender and release- as needed, over and over through the seasons of our lives.

Our symbol for today is a seed or plant, to remind us of the resilience plants have in order to bloom and grow. May we find joy in the testing of our faith. In every trail, let’s ask the Spirit to increase our resilience and build our endurance, as we grow in maturity and completeness.

Holy Spirit,

Move within me. Make my body and soul resilient in all of the trials that come my way. Help me to find joy in every challenge, trusting that you will work to make me mature and complete in Christ. Amen.

Romans 15:13 (NRSV)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Last week I was privileged to lead a Lenten mini-retreat, “Journey to the Wilderness.” The participants enriched my faith as they shared their personal stories of their own “wilderness” times. Some of the experiences were heart-breaking and painful. But in every one of them, these friends described how they felt God’s loving help; how they saw God make good come from very difficult times.

I think that, for Christians, one of our most defining qualities is our hopefulness. We have this hope that comes from knowing that Jesus can redeem everything. This hope that grows each time we trust and watch for the good God will bring from hardships. This hope that rises from being graciously forgiven each time we stumble (or completely fall). This hope that deepens as we experience God’s healing love repeatedly throughout our lives. This hope in life eternal when we finally leave our earthly bodies.

One doesn’t have to be Christian in order to be a really good person. I have seen true compassion, humility and kindness in self-giving people who question the very idea of God. As people of faith, our compassion, humility and kindness are rooted in hope- and our desire to share that hope we have in Christ. It is hope beyond worldly hope. It is hope that helps us to make sense of life and our purpose in it. It is eternal hope. It is infinite hope. It is beyond-comprehension hope. It is that “joy and peace in believing, so that we may abound in hope by the Holy Spirit” hope!

Today our Lenten focus is hopefulness. So many people desperately need hope today. How might we let others know of the One in whom we receive ours? What stories might we tell of the times we found God’s hope in the darkness? How might we lovingly help them, so that they may experience this hope as well?

Our reminder symbol today is a candle. May the candle remind us to be a hopeful light for those in the darkness. May we brighten someone’s day with God’s redeeming love… and the eternal hope that we have received from experiencing this amazing love.

God of our hope,

Through Jesus you have shown us your power to redeem everything, even death. In our own lives you have shown us your power to heal, restore and bless. You have given us incredible hope for this day and for all days yet to come. Help us to share your love today, but also to share the hope we have in you. May we abound in hope through your Holy Spirit! Amen.

THANK YOU!

 Psalm 86:12 (NRSV)

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.

When I began chemotherapy, I was prepared to be quite ill and at times, I was. But after my first days of treatment, I noticed that I wasn’t as sick as I had anticipated. So I put a calendar on our refrigerator; for every good day that I had, I would mark the day with a red “B” to designate it a “bonus day.” As the days passed, I was encouraged by the number of bonus days I enjoyed. A surprising benefit of keeping track was the gratitude that deepened in me as the “B” days were noted!

This became a new way of living for me. Even now, over 600 bonus days later, I thank God often for this precious opportunity to live and enjoy each day. In my gratitude, I am also receiving other benefits. Blessings such as joy, peace, and contentment. As Maya Angelou said, “A joyful spirit is evidence of a grateful heart.”

The truth is, each day is a bonus day for all of us, isn’t it? From the moment we came into being, we have been living bonus days! For some reason, God chose to create US, our souls, for all eternity! It is overwhelming to consider. We have been allowed to live this one day. To breathe, laugh, cry, dance, love, care, run, read, learn, BE. And we will later continue on living in a better realm for all eternity.

Oh, some days are incredibly hard, when grief or illness or hardship or worry overwhelm us. Days we wouldn’t even consider marking with a “B.” Yet, even in those hardest days, we are assured by Jesus’ promise that there will be many bonus days yet to come. We have been given this incredible gift of being allowed to experience LIFE in the love of God. Let’s hold gratitude deeply in our hearts today.

Our symbol for today is a thank-you note. If you have time, you may even write a note of thanks to God!

Awesome, life-giving God,

THANK YOU for this gift of life! Thank you that through your son, Jesus, you have shown us that we are already part of eternity! But today, help me to be grateful for THIS moment, this precious time. Let me never take these bonus days for granted, but to live them fully and abundantly. Thank you, so very much. Thank you. Amen.

FOLLOW ME

Mark 8:34 (NRSV)

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

We recently moved to a new home in Hurricane, WV, and I’ve been mapping out my new four-mile walking route. Each time we’ve moved, I realize how much I enjoy having my walking routes already established. When I’m creating a new route I need to keep track of my distance covered, watch out for places to avoid, and sometimes reroute myself. Especially here with the hills, I can’t see too far ahead and so I have often found myself wandering down dead end roads or encountering steep hills. There is also some disappointment when I believe I have covered a certain distance, only to look at my mileage app and learn that I am far from my goal.

Once my route is in place, I can listen to music, become absorbed in my thoughts, appreciate the scenery, and enjoy the exercise. The time and distance pass more quickly and easily!

When Jesus invites us to follow him, we aren’t given maps or pre-set routes. Although there are many times when we can walk familiar paths and enjoy the music, most days will bring something new and unknown. At times we will encounter dead ends or detours. We will need to climb steep and challenging hills. We may walk into a place where we aren’t welcome. We don’t know exactly where or how far Jesus is taking us on this earthly life journey. We only know that we want to follow him; that his route is our best and only route!

The unknown paths are challenging. But I’ve also discovered some blessings as I’ve walked the new, unfamiliar routes. I’ve met some wonderful people. I’ve seen surprising vistas and beauty. I’m breathing fresh air and getting my exercise. I’m excited to see how this scenery will change with each new season. And always, I know that eventually I will return home.

Jesus is beckoning us to follow him, and this is our Lenten practice for today. May we take each step of our journey in good courage, knowing that we will encounter challenges, but that we will also be blessed with wonderful new discoveries, friendships and vistas! No maps are needed. We will always be heading for home, with Jesus as our companion and guide for the journey.

Our symbol for today is a map. (Paper maps are becoming a thing of the past, aren’t they?) May it remind us to follow Jesus, wherever he leads us. It is always the best road home.

Our prayer for today is one of my favorites. It was written by Father Mychal Judge, a FDNY chaplain who died while helping at the Twin Towers on 9/11.

FATHER MYCHAL’S PRAYER

Lord, take me where You want me to go;
Let me meet who You want me to meet;
Tell me what You want me to say, and
Keep me out of Your way.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.

In my introduction to “Living Lent Lightly,” I mentioned that I become distracted and discouraged in my Lenten disciplines each year. Yesterday was the day that the distraction and discouragement set in. I usually LOVE praying, contemplating, thinking and then writing! But yesterday these seemed burdensome to me. I wondered if I had over-committed myself with my plan to write devotions for the 40 days of Lent. Insecurity crept in, too, as I questioned my ability. No inspiration was forthcoming. I finally decided walk away for a while.

When I returned, I found a treasure. Some very thoughtful and gracious readers had written comments on my previous blog, thanking me for blessing them with my writing. This was just the encouragement I needed to begin anew. The writing flowed easily after that… and this is the reason that “encouragement” is our Lenten practice for today.

Encouragement is offering reassurance, inspiration or help to someone. We encourage others when we lift their spirits, affirm them, or inspire them to persevere. And encouragement is a gift that we don’t always know we are giving! Our words may be intended for another good purpose, but God’s timing turns them into the additional gift of encouragement. Words of gratitude became encouragement for me.  A compliment may encourage another. Noticing something others have done may affirm or clarify their purpose. And often we don’t even know when someone needs encouragement!

Today, pay attention to the “nudges” that invite you to speak gracious words, to thank someone, to notice what someone has done, or to brighten someone’s day. We never know when God will turn our words into so much more- the gift of much-needed encouragement!

Our reminder for today will be a key. May it remind us to open ourselves to God’s timing, and ask God to help our words of encouragement unlock someone’s inner hopes and dreams.

Loving God,

Help me to be a source of encouragement for someone today. Make me attentive to those around me. Give me words to say that uplift, reassure, and help. Guide me into your perfect timing, so that my words may do so much more than my limited intent. Amen.

GRANDMA’S FORK

2 Timothy 2:20-21 

²⁰ In a large house there are utensils not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for special use, some for ordinary. ²¹ All who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentioned will become special utensils, dedicated and useful to the owner of the house, ready for every good work. 

I imagine Paul would be quite surprised by the variety and convenience of our utensils today! There are gadgets that can make almost every aspect of our lives easier and more efficient. But if you’re like me, I usually grab a utensil for these reasons: proximity, simplicity, and cleanliness. I’ll use a knife rather than go to another room to get the scissors; I’ll use a manual can opener because I struggle with electric ones; I’ll eat with a spoon if the forks are dirty. I find that I appreciate a utensil, not for its glamour or ease, but for its ready usefulness to me.

Our Lenten focus for today is usefulness. Paul tells Timothy that all of us- whether we are ‘gold,’ ‘silver,’ ‘wood’ or ‘clay’- can become special utensils, ready for every good work God has in mind for us. Aren’t you excited by this thought? God may have us in mind for special use, or God may want us for ordinary use. Either way, we can be useful to God!

If we desire to be useful and “ready for every good work,” perhaps we should consider our proximity, simplicity and cleanliness. God is present within and around us, but we can feel closer in proximity if we are attentive to God through prayer, study and reflection. If we free ourselves from any unnecessary things that hinder or complicate our lives, our simplicity helps us to be more readily available for God’s use. Paul speaks of cleanliness in his words, “all who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentioned will become special utensils…” When we ask God to forgive those things that make us sinful and unclean, and let God’s perfecting love wash over us, we will be cleansed and sparkling!

One more thought… what if God wishes to use us differently than for what we think our purpose is? If I can exchange a knife for scissors, imagine what God can do! We only need to be ready for every good work. How might we be useful for God today?

Our focus item for today is my grandma’s fork. It is just a simple fork, but I use it often and treasure it as a keepsake. Perhaps you have a simple utensil you really appreciate. Let that be your reminder for today!

Loving God,

Out of love you have created me uniquely, and I long to be useful to you! Help me to be ready for every good work you have in mind. Even if you surprise me!  Amen.

RUNNING THE RACE

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NRSV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, ² looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

Paul implores us to persevere as faithful people of God, but reassures us that we are not alone. He names a number of earlier witnesses such as Noah, Abraham, and Moses, who by faith, followed God’s will and persevered despite great trials. Surrounded by this “cloud of witnesses,” we are encouraged to do the same!

Today our Lenten discipline is perseverance; the perseverance needed for living as Christ followers and for living a life of faithful love.  It is so difficult to keep our focus on Christ while living amid the distractions of this world, to be steadfast examples of love when facing harshness or criticism, to keep our spiritual disciplines in busy times… to make following Jesus our first priority when so many others clamor for our attention.

I found many tips online to help with perseverance. But I think Paul is on to something when he recognizes the many saints before us who were examples of faithful perseverance. When I ran my first 10K race years ago, I was inspired and uplifted by the people around me. Runners who led the way. Water cup holders standing along the route, keeping us hydrated. A high school band offering pep music to invigorate us all. People cheering us on from the sides of the road, especially as we neared the finish line.

We should keep this in mind as we persevere in our life of faithful obedience and love. We have a great cloud of witnesses who have set examples for us and are now surrounding us in spirit. We have the encouragement of faith communities and friends today who journey with us. Best of all, we can look to Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” for everything we need for this race. We too, can find the joy set before us, even when detours and trials come. We are in good company, all the way to the finish line.

Our reminder today will be a walking or running shoe (or the shoes you’re wearing). May it remind us to persevere in this daily faith journey, one step at a time, never giving up, knowing we are not alone.

Jesus, Perfecter of my faith,

Thank you for the journey you perfectly completed- living a life of faithful obedience and love- all the way to the cross. As I continue on my faith journey, help me to persevere as your disciple on this race that is set before me. Thank you for the great witnesses who went before me and who inspire and encourage me today. Thank you that I can look to you for guidance and strength for this journey. Thank you that I can follow you, learning and growing, all the way to the finish line. Amen.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NRSV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 

In art, when we use the word “medium,” we refer to the objects that artists use (such as paint, pastels, wood, clay, plastics, instruments, pens, cameras) to convey certain messages. So consider this: when we are in Christ, we are new creations- Christ is the creating artist, and we are the mediums he uses to convey his message of love!

Most of us have enjoyed coloring in pre-printed books or on blank sheets of paper. But do you recall the sheer joy and freedom of coloring outside on the sidewalk? We had a much larger “canvas” and the freedom to expand our creativity beyond designated lines and page limits! We also relished the idea that more people would be able to see our artwork. Creating this way was an enjoyable and expansive experience.

When Jesus wants to work in us, to make us into a new creation, do we limit him? “Create in me, dear Jesus… but only so far. Please stay inside these lines and limits I have in mind for you.” We limit ourselves as the canvas when we lack the confidence to expand, instead of trusting that he is creating with perfect artistry. He well knows the capabilities of his medium. We limit Jesus the artist when we remain self-centered, wanting to control his creativity according to our plans. We limit Christ’s audience when we file his artwork away for safekeeping, instead of sharing it with the world.

Our Lenten practice for today is availability. Jesus wants to work in us, to make us new creations that will convey his message of love. Today, let’s be open and available for him to be as creative as he would like- free of our own pre-designated designs, free to create beyond our borders, free to display his artwork wherever he would like!

The crayon (or pen, or any other art item) will serve as our reminder to be open and available for Jesus to create in us- perhaps in new and surprising ways!

Creating Christ,

You DO want to make me into your beautiful creation, to convey your message of love! Help me to not interfere with your artistic and perfect work in me. Remove my limiting insecurities, remove my pre-designated plans, and remove my fears of being shared with others. Make my heart and soul available- totally- for your good and perfect work in me. Today I hope you enjoy working freely in me! Thank you. Amen.

Enjoy your Sabbath day of rest and worship! (I won’t be posting Lenten disciplines on Sundays.)