As we get closer to Easter, and we are witnessing life renewing itself all around us, what are we feeling inside of us?
As I watch the signs of Spring, and nature coming alive, I can’t help but wonder what that means for me and you. Are we also being renewed? Is there a burst of life in us that is waking up? Is our Spirit somehow being jostled awake inside of us?
The Lenten season we’ve been journeying through is generally thought to be a time of reflection and repentance. We take this time to assess within ourselves all the ways we may have fallen short of being who God created us to be. We reflect on the ways where we may have strayed from what we know to be our path set before us. Some do so by denying themselves something to get in touch with the whole idea of sacrifice. Reminding ourselves of the ultimate sacrifice Jesus gave for all of us.
I happen to believe Lent is an excellent time for us to reflect and meditate on our relationship with God and others. It gives a time to really be intentional in seeking an understanding of who we are, why we are here, where we are going, and who we want to be.
It seems to me, as we do the interior reflective work on ourselves, we have an opportunity to see and experience real growth. Growth in our perspective, growth in allowing change in us to happen, and growth in our dedication to being God’s presence in the world.
When I look at the trees budding out, the new babies being born to our animal friends around us, it stirs something in me as well. I want to be a part of that renewing process. I want to feel new life growing in me. I want to feel that burst of excitement that comes from life renewing itself. Its in me, I know and feel it.
I’m reminded of the passage from Isaiah 55:12 that says, “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” God’s cycle of renewal is all around us and in us. March blows in with a lot of energy, reminding us of God’s awesome power to restore and renew.
As we hear the news of war and destruction, we are being reminded that is not who we are supposed to be. We are part of a creation story that is meant to be at peace and in harmony with one another. God created us as a part of the whole, and our role is as caretaker, not as destroyer.
What is renewing itself inside of me is urging me to practice peace and harmony in every place, and with every person that I can. I feel it, its like new life being brought to the surface in me. I am to be a beacon of peace. Saint Francis felt it, it led him into a life dedicated to renewing and rebuilding the church. Francis understood clearly his role in the world. He was to create harmony. He was to see the people of the world as brothers and sisters. He was to see his fellow creatures, the birds, the foxes, the cattle, as part of him. He was to see all of creation as being interrelated.
Somehow we’ve strayed from that vision of St. Francis’. He championed radical nonviolence, peace, and reconciliation. He viewed war as a tragedy to be countered with love and gentleness. Francis traveled through war zones unarmed to meet the Sultan, modeling Gospel-based peacemaking over armed conflict.
We are all being renewed, whether we acknowledge it or not. Within us is God’s love and its being renewed to the point of needing to burst forth. My prayer during these last days of Lent is for each of us to feel God’s love in an intense way. May it urge us to be God’s partner in bringing peace and harmony to fruition around us. May that burst of peace and harmony spread like a wildfire around the world. May the wars raging in Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran be brought to a peaceful conclusion. May the conflicts that continue to rage in so many parts of the world wind down and harmony and peace be brought to life there. May we find the resolve to be peace-mongers and not war-mongers. And may we find God renewing us day by day.
Your companion on the Way,
Pastor Tom