Lectionary Text of the Day for February 27, 2018: Hebrews 11:1-3
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This
is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”
So often, we are trapped by what we think we see. When we look around the world we are inundated with messages that are eager to define us as less than, limited, not enough, unworthy of love and care. This is because we forget that as God's creations we are called to see and look at the world as God sees the world--as beautiful and good. When we allow ourselves to be freed by the hope we have in love to transform, in forgiveness to bring new life, in resurrection to begin each day anew, we are living as faith-filled people from an ancient time, in a timeless story.
This kind of transformed Lenten living begins with looking in the mirror and claiming our own sacred worth.
You are good.
You are beautiful.
You, just as you are.
Through the lens of an abounding and limitless love we can see beauty in all things. When the world breathes chaos and fear into our lives seeking to seduce our deepest places of pain and fear into believing its lies, we can choose, instead, to remember whose we are, and arm ourselves with the truth of our own sacred worth. A worth that comes from the Creator of the universe who alone can invite us to reorder our shared life together.
Dear God, draw your creation unto yourself. Remind us whose we are and encourage us to draw the circle wide. Amen.
Friends,
I invite you to choose a Lenten spiritual practice that will support you in reclaiming your own sacred worth and allow you to live into the bounty of God's limitless, transforming love. This week, you might feel especially drawn to Prayer and would enjoy gathering on Thursday at 7pm in the sanctuary with Ellen Beidler and others to experience Praying with the Whole Person.
There are ongoing opportunities for discussion about experiencing our faith fully and practicing together on Sundays at 9:15 & 9:30am - Courageous Faith and Animate Practices. This week, Robert Parrish will offer a "Lining a Hymn" workshop following worship for those who would be interested in singing 'call and response' style. And for youth and families Santi and I invite you to a conversation about "finding courage and staying safe as we rise and resist together".
You can learn more about participating in our Lenten Journey in our Lenten Guide.
Spirit is leading the way,
Rev. Jenny Shultz-Thomas
rev.cucc@gmail.com
rev.cucc@gmail.com