Last week in our Lenten wilderness journey we thought a bit about Noah as one who walked closely with God, and offered a simple exercise to help move in that inspiring direction: just five minutes a day of silent stillness, not straining to hear, but settling into being with God. I wonder how you found that?
This week, another well known biblical character comes into view: Abraham, or rather Abram who is renamed Abraham, just as Sarai becomes Sarah. Together, they are Father and Mother of nations. Wow – that’s some vision to carry! It may be that this business with names speaks to you in some way – have you heard God say your name or call out some gift in you? This morning (at the time of writing), I (Rev. Steve Elmes of Bookham Baptist Church) was praying for my daughter and suddenly there were some words: ‘joyful, compassionate one’. So, I texted these to her, within a warm message from her dad.
I believe that God is speaking words (names) over his beloved children. How about pausing each day this week to listen for what God is saying to you? You might be surprised (blown away even) by his regard for you.
We will meet Abraham a few times this week in our readings – so keep an eye open for ways in which this spiritual father models attentiveness to God.
There will be a post on here from Monday to Friday that will contain a daily Scripture to read along with prayers, questions, quotes, songs and other bits and pieces. But before you jump into today’s reflection maybe just pause, turn your attention to God and pray the prayer below:
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
You speak and summon us away
From that which is false, familiar, and faithless,
You invite us to tread a path into the unknown,
Where our barrenness is transformed by your blessing.
Amen
Daily Scripture: Genesis 12:1-5 & Luke 19:1-10
Find the above scripture in your bible and read slowly – you might want to read it out loud. Online readings: Genesis 12:1-5 & Luke 19:1-10
Lenten Quote
“Give me a candle of the Spirit, O God, as I go down into the deeps of my being. Show me the hidden things, the creatures of my dreams, the storehouse of forgotten memories and hurts. Take me down to the spring of my life, and tell me my nature and my name.”
| George Apple
Weekly Lenten Practice
Last week we sought to practice a time of stillness everyday and this week we will be practicing the ancient practice of Lectio Divina or Divine Reading. This is about listening for God’s voice above studying the text – not that studying has no value – it is just that we can sometimes miss the encounter that scripture beckons us into when we start to analyse or apply the text too quickly. This way of reading Scripture follows this basic pattern:
- Read – slowly and prayerfully read a small portion of Scripture a few times over.
- Reflect – consider what is important for you in this passage and how God might be getting your attention
- Respond – Take these thoughts and speak to God about them in prayer.
- Rest – End by just resting in the presence of God.
Perhaps try this exercise with today’s Scriptures and if this is new to you just begin with five minutes on each part. Again, maybe try writing down anything you feel that God might be speaking to you through this.
Lenten Song: If You Say Go
A song about trusting God enough to follow Him into the unknown. We are in good company with Abraham here!
Closing Blessing
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you,
wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness,
protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing
at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing
once again into our doors.
Evening Zoom Reflection at 9pm
We will be meeting tonight on Zoom to reflect on this together. You would be most welcome to join us. We start at 9pm and finish at 9:20pm. Maybe bring a Bible and a journal if you have them.
We are usually on a few moments before for a chat. Click here to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84743926286
We would love to make this a shared learning experience as much as possible so therefore please consider adding any thoughts, questions and insights that might arise for you in the comments section below. We would love to hear what God is up to in this time!
5 Comments on “LENT WEEK 2 | MONDAY”
I love how Jesus sees our needs before dealing with our sin. Jesus saw Zacchaeus’ need to belong, to be included, to be seen. He calls him down, calls him by his name (not his sin) and becomes a guest at his house, an intimate ask. Zacchaeus responds, owning any wrong doing without Jesus needing to call it out. Love made a way.
Interestingly Zacchaeus means clean or pure. Jesus always sees our true selves, our redemption.
What stood out for me was the idea that salvation has come to my house today. Just like Zach, when we have an encounter with Jesus and begin to follow him, entertain him, spend time in relationship with him, we are called sons and daughters of Abraham. It means that we inherit that blessing that was given to Abram, and become participants in the sharing of that blessing with others. We are blessed to be a blessing. And that takes place through the everyday stuff of life – through sharing a meal together, through entertaining, through our interactions with others regardless of whether they are Jesus followers or not. Every interaction provides the opportunity for blessing.
love that thought Naomi that Jesus called him by name not by his sin, who knows what names he was used to being called by others, and how fab that his name means ‘ pure/clear’. I was struck by the immediacy and urgency with how Jesus spoke to Zachaeus, ‘come down immediately’…’ need to come to your house today’… It wasn’t one day, or tomorrow or next month… Jesus saw hm and spoke right into his need, there and then, in the intimacy of his home. And the incredible impact of that encounter on Zachaeus, and his response, maybe he was internally longing for change.
Also Abraham, I was thinking how he was called to continue the journey his father had started but settled, I wonder if he was restless himself or if he felt very settled and this call was out of the blue and and unexpected.
I was reminded of the John 1;47 encounter with Nathanael (another fig tree moment!) and how extraordinary it is that Jesus saw so keenly and deeply into each person. He said of Nathanael ‘Here is a tried Israelite in whom there is no deceit’ and to Zaccheus ‘ here is a son of Abraham…’. I love the way that Jesus calls forth these blessings that have been planted in the people God has chosen. He affirms so publicly!
Typo… ‘tried’ should read ‘true’