launch & lent

We started Sunday with launching weekly services for our church. It was fun, lots of visitors from our sister churches in Auckland, full worship band (electric & acoustic guitar, drums and three singers, living the dream), and after service BBQ. In case you forgot, kids love bouncy castles, like seriously freak out.

Lent surprised me, but excited to re-read through N.T. Wright's series on Matthew. Today's reading so fitting:

"...God always wanted humans to be part of the action, not just spectators. God made humans to reflect his image -- his presence, his love, his plans -- into the world... What should the church be doing today that would make people realize that 'heaven' is actually in charge here and now? When we find the answer to that question, there will be lots more spectators -- and, we may hope, lots more players too." 

Reflecting on what that looks like in this season, really thankful for all those players, past and present that have blessed my faith. Those models of living and giving. I can't imagine being on this journey without the overwhelming support and prayers of our churches in the States and Auckland. Humbling and amazing. Word feels small, but thank you again for praying and encouraging.

lent

"Then, the dream. Mary's story is true. What's more, she and her child are caught up, not just in a personal challenge, but in a much older, stranger purpose. God's purpose. God's rescue operation, long expected and at last coming true. The child to be born will be 'Emmanuel', God-with-us. God with us to save us: hence the name 'Jesus', the same word as 'Joshua', the great leader who brought the people of Israel across the Jordan into the promised land. The name means 'Yahweh saves'. God with us; God to the rescue.

Whenever God does something new, he involves people — often unlikely people, frequently surprised and alarmed people. He asks them to trust him in a new way, to put aside their natural reactions, to listen humbly for a fresh word and to act on it without knowing exactly how it's going to work out. That's what he's asking all of us to do this Lent. Reading the Bible without knowing in advance what God is going to say takes humility. Like Joseph, we may have to put our initial reactions on hold and be prepared to hear new words, to think new thoughts, and to live them out. We all come with our own questions, our own sorrows and frustrations, our own longings. God will deal with them in his own way, but he will do so as part of his own much larger and deeper purposes. Who knows what might happen, this year, if even a few of us were prepared to listen to God's word in scripture in a new way, to share the humility of Joseph, and to find ourselves caught up in God's rescue operation?"

This is an excerpt from Lent for Everyone, a Bible reading plan and devotional created by N.T. Wright. I'm undecided what to specifically go without or whether to fast for Lent but definitely want to create space to intentionally sabbath and pray. I love how Emily from Wide Open Spaces describes Lent, "Going without does my soul good." Another writer Julia Zaher said, "We use things created by God to keep ourselves from his tender, loving care."

I find Lent important. Time and space to give up, to simplify, to live unexposed, so we can seek God's voice, rest in Him. Are you doing anything to observe Lent?