After a season of ongoing isolation, our hearts long to return and reconnect. With the help of lay preachers from our congregation, each week we will take steps to explore our faith during the season of lent. We begin our lenten journey connected in dust, moving through the wilderness, all while clinging to a promise. Together, we will go on to explore how repentance and reconciliation help us to draw near to one another and God. As we near Holy Week, we will be filled with great anticipation and look forward to Easter, a celebratory day of resurrection and reconnection!
Our journey continues! On our second Midweek in lent, we have the privilege of hearing from congregant, Marcia Skoglund. Together, we explore how we are connected by a promise.
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” But the word of the Lord came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.
Then he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.” But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.
As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him.
-Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
Marcia helps us reflect on the disconnect many of us experienced during the pandemic and throughout our lives. She reminds us that one doesn’t always need a close physical encounter to maintain a loving relationship. Memories and even lessons learned continue to bind us to those that have impacted us. The same is true for our relationship with God. Even though we don’t always sense God’s physical presence, there is a strong bond that buoys us during those dark periods in our lives.
Have you ever felt “buoyed” by your relationship with God? What was that like?
God has promised to protect us and keep us safe, even though times get dark and scary. That is his promise to all his people. The pandemic was a dark and scary time. You may have experienced other stormy moments as well. During this Lenten period, let’s challenge ourselves to think about how we respond to those who may need help and love.
As you consider those around you who may be going through a storm, what is the face that you offer up? Are you open to reconnection? Are you open to loving and accepting those who need reconnection, without exception?
Together, we ask God to show us the way.