Dear Friends and Members of RLC,
Who, reading this, is hoping for spring? As February begins—though it may be the snowiest, coldest month this winter—we all know that we are moving closer to spring. Its arrival is dependable and sure. Before too long, this cold and barren land will burst with life. There is comfort in knowing what’s ahead. There is peace in the predictable.
Yet we all know that much about life is not predictable. Events, accidents, illnesses—they blindside us, catch us off-guard, immobilize us with fear and grief. How do we respond in such circumstances? Where is God when such things happen? What becomes of faith?
Questions such as these are what we will be dealing with this Lent in our midweek Bible Study. Each Wednesday night, you are invited to gather for worship from 7 p.m.-7:30 p.m., followed by reflection and discussion from 7:30 p.m.-8:45 p.m. The resource that we will be using as a springboard for our discussion is the book, The Shack, by William P. Young. You can purchase a copy at any bookstore or check it out of the library. Our study will begin on February 24th with conversation centered around Chapters 1-4.
This book deals with the age-old question of how God can be both good and powerful and still allow horrible, undeserved things to happen. I will be connecting the study with what the Bible teaches us about this question—though be forewarned, no definitive “answer” will be given. There is a reason we are still asking the question.
Lent is a good time to delve into such a weighty topic. It is the season in which we walk with Jesus toward his undeserved and horrible death. And yet, he comes through it to everlasting life and we come through it, as a community, with faith that this life is also open to us. In the midst of Jesus’ cry, “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me,” God does not forsake him, but carries him through his physical and spiritual anguish. What about you? Have you been in such a place of pain and experienced God’s absence? God’s presence? Both? Are you there now?
Lent literally means “spring-time.” It is a season that predictably ends with Easter and the triumph of light and life over darkness and death. To get there, however, the 40 day journey to Jerusalem must be walked. It is like winter preceding spring. This year, I invite you to intentionally and courageously walk the journey together here at RLC. Do not be afraid to face what is happening in your life and in this world.
Who knows what glory might become manifest in a run-down shack where our worst fears dwell? Be open to being surprised.
From your pastor who, like our sister Tee,
is still on His (or Her) journey,
Pastor Mary