Jeremiah 2:13 states, "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water."
During the time of the people of Israel before Jesus, water was very important. It was a basic element of life, especially in that part of the world. Cisterns would hold water, especially during those long times when there was little water to be found. Having a good cistern was essential to basic survival. The image of God as a spring of living water gave more hope for a desert people than we can imagine. All we have to do for clean, safe water is turn on a faucet. It's hard for us to imagine the great trouble one would have gone to in those days (or still goes to in many parts of the world) just for the basic survival need of water.
During the time of Lent, we think about what is basic to life. We try to give up some of those extraneous things like chocolate or caffeine or alcohol. And what is more basic to our life than water? And is not God, the spring of living water, the most basic part of our lives? Yet, do we truly live like God is the most basic part of our life? Is God at the very center? Is God the basic foundation for each day of our lives?
If we are not living as if God is the basic water in our lives, what are we trying to substitute? What broken cistern are we using? During this time of Lent, it is a great opportunity really to look into our hearts. It is good for us to think about our basic foundation and reliance in life. We might try to substitute people, parties, shopping, food, the internet or media - any of these things for the living spring of God. Think about when things go very poorly in your life. Think about your first reaction. Is it to turn to God or someone who can help you know God's presence in your life? Or do we try to find some broken cistern that will only let us down? With the broken cistern, we won't have the water we need in our lives. Our spring will run dry.
During these 40 days, as you give up something unnecessary, take some time to think about what is the most basic element of your life. Pray about how God can truly be the basic spring of living water.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
Ash Wednesday
Today is Ash Wednesday. This is the day that begins the Christian season of Lent. Lent is the 40 days (minus Sundays) before Easter. Early in the history of the Christian church, Lent became an important part of the Easter celebration. It reminded people of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness - fasting, seeking the will of God, and being tempted by Satan. Easter is the most holy of Christian days, and without the observance of Lent, it can be hard to appreciate the true joy and celebration of Easter.
So how are we to spend the season of Lent? Traditionally, Christians have sacrificed something during these days. This is done to identify with those who are suffering in the world. It is done to identify with Jesus' own suffering. We might give up coffee, red meat, chocolate, sweets, tv, vending machines, gossip or negative thoughts or any other number of items. It's not easy giving up these things - but this form of fast can help us gain a better perspective in life and strengthen our spiritual journey.
Christians also have another option - they can choose to take on something else in life. One can spend time each day in Bible study or prayer (if that's been difficult to do in the past), make a point of helping a person each day, or take on a volunteer project.
However you choose to observe Lent, I encourage you to be intentional. Think of something you like, but don't really need, that you can give up. Or think of something you need to do that will enrich your life as a Christian - and take that on. These 40 days are a wonderful time to travel in the footsteps of Jesus, grow as a Christian, and prepare for the most wonderful holy day of the Church year.
So how are we to spend the season of Lent? Traditionally, Christians have sacrificed something during these days. This is done to identify with those who are suffering in the world. It is done to identify with Jesus' own suffering. We might give up coffee, red meat, chocolate, sweets, tv, vending machines, gossip or negative thoughts or any other number of items. It's not easy giving up these things - but this form of fast can help us gain a better perspective in life and strengthen our spiritual journey.
Christians also have another option - they can choose to take on something else in life. One can spend time each day in Bible study or prayer (if that's been difficult to do in the past), make a point of helping a person each day, or take on a volunteer project.
However you choose to observe Lent, I encourage you to be intentional. Think of something you like, but don't really need, that you can give up. Or think of something you need to do that will enrich your life as a Christian - and take that on. These 40 days are a wonderful time to travel in the footsteps of Jesus, grow as a Christian, and prepare for the most wonderful holy day of the Church year.
Student Forum
The National UM Student Forum is every year over Memorial Day weekend. Here's a video that has more info!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
It's good to receive
Each year, the WL student leadership team meets weekly. As part of our weekly meeting, we have a devotion. This year, we have been reading through The Cup of Our Life by Joyce Rupp. The author takes the image of a cup and uses it to reflect on our spiritual journey. At this point in our reading, she has been writing about the image of an empty cup. She states that when we have an empty cup - when we are empty - then we are ready to receive. We are ready to receive God's love and grace and the gifts of others.
One of the hallmarks of our society is that we are an individualistic culture. We take pride in being able to do things on our own. We like to say that we can pull ourselves up by own our bootstraps without any help from any one else. It's difficult for us to ask for help. Yet, the scripture tells us it is better to give than to receive. It doesn't say that we should never receive or that receiving is bad. In fact, there are times that we need to be receivers.
During Jesus' last days before his crucifixion, his closest friends did not understand what was before him. It certainly must have been a difficult time for Jesus. He kept giving and giving to those around him, while needing support from his loved ones. Then one evening a woman came with a very expensive jar of ointment (about one year's salary worth) and annointed his head with it. The disciples were puzzled and even angry that she wasted so much money. (Matthew 26:6-13) Yet, Jesus defended her. He needed to receive her blessing and love.
We are now entering that stressful time of midterms. There is more work to be done that we would like and too many demands on our time. And that is just the time we need to be good receivers. If someone offers help, take them up on it. And don't be afraid to ask for help - whether it's with a class or sorting out a problem or relationship in your life. God created us to support each other and to be in relationship and community together. It's good for us to be able to give to others and to show God's love - but it is also a very good thing for us to be able to receive that love and support and let others give to us.
One of the hallmarks of our society is that we are an individualistic culture. We take pride in being able to do things on our own. We like to say that we can pull ourselves up by own our bootstraps without any help from any one else. It's difficult for us to ask for help. Yet, the scripture tells us it is better to give than to receive. It doesn't say that we should never receive or that receiving is bad. In fact, there are times that we need to be receivers.
During Jesus' last days before his crucifixion, his closest friends did not understand what was before him. It certainly must have been a difficult time for Jesus. He kept giving and giving to those around him, while needing support from his loved ones. Then one evening a woman came with a very expensive jar of ointment (about one year's salary worth) and annointed his head with it. The disciples were puzzled and even angry that she wasted so much money. (Matthew 26:6-13) Yet, Jesus defended her. He needed to receive her blessing and love.
We are now entering that stressful time of midterms. There is more work to be done that we would like and too many demands on our time. And that is just the time we need to be good receivers. If someone offers help, take them up on it. And don't be afraid to ask for help - whether it's with a class or sorting out a problem or relationship in your life. God created us to support each other and to be in relationship and community together. It's good for us to be able to give to others and to show God's love - but it is also a very good thing for us to be able to receive that love and support and let others give to us.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Love your enemy
Jesus said we are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us(Matt 5:43). For those of us who have been part of the church for much of our lives, this is something we have often heard. It always sounds quite nice, but putting flesh onto the bones is something that takes us much deeper.
On Monday and Tuesday, I was in Charlotte for a meeting with the other UM campus ministers in our annual conference. The new Dean of Duke Chapel, Dr. Sam Wells, met with us and discussed some important theological issues concerning working on college campuses. He mentioned a theologian, John Howard Yoder, during these talks. Yoder was a Mennonite Christian who wrote a great deal about what it means to love our enemies. You might know that Mennonites are one of the historic peace churches. I read a lot from Yoder during my time in seminary and have since pulled out his book, The Politics of Jesus.
What does it mean for us to love our enemies? First, who is an enemy? We might first think of terrorists in today's world. Hopefully, we do pray for them. And who are our "enemies" on a more personal level? Enemy is such a strong word. There might be people we hate or who hate us. Or we might have people who we simply dislike, disregard or disrespect in our lives. Who are your enemies? An enemy is someone with whom there is a division - there is a large gulf between ourselves and them. The other person may have put it there - we may have put it there - or it may have been a combination. (It does normally take two to tango.) Please take some time during the coming days to think about who your enemies are. Think about who the people are in your life from whom you are divided. Ask God to help you identify them.
And then pray for them. Pray that this gulf might be bridged. Ask God to help you find ways to reach out to them. Pray that with time and practice you might learn to love that person as another child of God.
As we are able to do this on an individual basis, it will help us love and find ways to reach out to enemies on a larger scale (as a people, and as a nation) as well. Love your enemies.
On Monday and Tuesday, I was in Charlotte for a meeting with the other UM campus ministers in our annual conference. The new Dean of Duke Chapel, Dr. Sam Wells, met with us and discussed some important theological issues concerning working on college campuses. He mentioned a theologian, John Howard Yoder, during these talks. Yoder was a Mennonite Christian who wrote a great deal about what it means to love our enemies. You might know that Mennonites are one of the historic peace churches. I read a lot from Yoder during my time in seminary and have since pulled out his book, The Politics of Jesus.
What does it mean for us to love our enemies? First, who is an enemy? We might first think of terrorists in today's world. Hopefully, we do pray for them. And who are our "enemies" on a more personal level? Enemy is such a strong word. There might be people we hate or who hate us. Or we might have people who we simply dislike, disregard or disrespect in our lives. Who are your enemies? An enemy is someone with whom there is a division - there is a large gulf between ourselves and them. The other person may have put it there - we may have put it there - or it may have been a combination. (It does normally take two to tango.) Please take some time during the coming days to think about who your enemies are. Think about who the people are in your life from whom you are divided. Ask God to help you identify them.
And then pray for them. Pray that this gulf might be bridged. Ask God to help you find ways to reach out to them. Pray that with time and practice you might learn to love that person as another child of God.
As we are able to do this on an individual basis, it will help us love and find ways to reach out to enemies on a larger scale (as a people, and as a nation) as well. Love your enemies.
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