As a church we go to the
wilderness every year in Lent because the truth is that we live our whole
lives in the wilderness. Always, and repeatedly, we move from some bondage
or attachment through a time of transition in which we leave our old selves
behind and move toward a new life.
The [believers] will always find one sure word in the wilderness, the
incarnate Word who travels with us, is tempted just as we are, dies with us
on the rise over-looking paradise, and rests His life with ours in the very
hands that have formed us all - and will again, over and over and over.
-- Fredrick A. Niedner,
Professor of Theology
Valparaiso University --
Over the years when we think of Lent, I often
think of it as a period of giving something up to show the sincerity of
one's commitment to Christ. I remember when working for the Redlands Fire
Department during college, one of the men was fixing fish for dinner
(he was a newly confirmed Catholic) because he was giving up red meat
for Lent.
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The piece of fish on the plate looked pretty thick and the officer sitting
next to him speared it with his fork and discovered a small filet mignon
under it. Naturally Bruce got a pretty hefty ribbing for trying to disguise
his dinner.
However, this year it might be wise to return
to the basic meaning of "Lent" ('the lengthening of days') to gain a better
appreciation for this rather long period of time. Whether it originally
referred to the fact the days were growing longer (more time between sunrise
and sunset) or the long period of time the Hebrews and later Jesus spent
in the desert isn't really crucial. If we take "lengthening" as
encouragement to slow things down, we will be able to actually add something
to our lives that could last far longer than the forty days we committed
ourselves to subtracting something from our lives. What about a daily quiet
time, some time walking (preaching to the choir here!), or just to be aware
of each unique moment of day - to be really present for and aware of what
God is doing in that very moment.
We are a congregation in transition: from one
pastor to another [permanent pastor - interim pastor - permanent pastor] and
from a former way to a new way of doing ministry. The manna that each of us
finds in our personal and congregational journey this Lenten season will
feed us well in the days ahead in the life of FBC Mountlake Terrace.
In Christ,
--Pastor Bill
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