I have returned from a glorious vacation in Puerto Rico, rested and ready to enter the season of Lent. On vacation I was blessed with time to look, listen, smell, touch, and even taste the ocean (the tasting part was quite by accident, I assure you, but it's a funny story for another time). While sitting by the ocean I could not help but notice the power, beauty, and mystery of the universe. The wind and waters were influenced by a power, a guiding force beyond this earth. Empowered by our moon, the ocean whirled, waved, and crashed with awe-inspiring beauty.
As I sat on sandy beaches I began to reflect upon the guiding force in our lives. We are entering the season of Lent; a time to journey in spiritual growth, with God as the guiding force in that journey. Christian Scriptures say that Jesus was guided by the Spirit after his baptism, into a wilderness time of soul searching, prayer, spiritual wrestling, and nourishment. Perhaps this time was necessary for Jesus to determine the guiding force in his life and ministry? Who would lead him, empower him, inspire, challenge, strengthen and even comfort Jesus? The gospel writers tell us that Jesus was guided by the God of Israel, the God of love and grace. We too might enter a Lenten journey of connecting with our guiding force so that our daily lives and our ministries are guided, inspired, and empowered by this God of love and grace. What new relationships and ministries might the Spirit resurrect and birth in the season of Easter after we journey with Christ in Lenten study, daily spiritual practices, thick listening, meditation, worship, and new forms of prayer? Exploring new and old spiritual practices can bring peacefulness, wisdom, and acts of social justice. I enjoy spiritual walks, meditation, lectio, reading diverse spiritual guides, spiritual exercise, and insightful conversation with progressive thinkers. What spiritual practices open you to deep thought, acts of mercy, and new life? May we be moved by the Spirit to share our Lenten practices with one another in this Holy season of spiritual growth.
rev. deb
