In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.
And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” (Mark 1:9-15)
What do you hope people will say about you at your funeral, from work, church, clubs, your friends and family?
It’s an exercise suggested by management and organizational guru Stephen Covey for people very much in the thick of life. It helps shape a life mission statement that guides the setting of agendas, scheduling for the day, and goals for the year. Even more, it’s about legacy–what we hope our lives will have meant, what we hope we’ll have contributed.
The season of Lent is a gift of time and structure to sit with the big questions for a bit. In sure and certain hope of the resurrection we can let ourselves wander in the wilderness with Jesus as our guide, confronting our demons and coming to grips with our sense of purpose.
Mark’s characteristically crisp summary of Jesus’ wilderness exercise provides a compelling model. From his point of origin he undergoes initiation into a new life and his essential identity is confirmed. Then comes a long stretch of sorting things out with Satan, wild beasts, and angels as his companions. At the end, he returns with purpose, ready to take his place in life’s mainstream: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news. The rest of Mark describes how it worked out.
As this is good for us personally, it’s also good for us as a congregation. Reedville is now four years into our second century. It’s a good time, probably a critical time, to engage in a congregational Season of Assessment, some time in the wilderness, to sort out who we are now and who God is calling us to be.
What do we hope people will say about the Reedville Church some day? How might that shape the way we schedule our days and plan our years? We’ll probably be tempted by Satan and encounter wild beasts and angels along the way. And hopefully by year’s end we’ll be able to proclaim, The time is fulfilled… and describe our mission as clearly as Jesus did. The next few years of our second century will tell the story of how it works out.The Season of Assessment will include a number of congregational events throughout the year. It begins with prayer this Lent, including an opportunity to gather in the Upper Room before worship. You’ll be hearing more.
In those days, the Reedville Church came to be baptized…
Sharing with you a blessed Lent- Jeffrey S. Sievert, Pastor
It’s an exercise suggested by management and organizational guru Stephen Covey for people very much in the thick of life. It helps shape a life mission statement that guides the setting of agendas, scheduling for the day, and goals for the year. Even more, it’s about legacy–what we hope our lives will have meant, what we hope we’ll have contributed.