Hi
Today marks the beginning of Lent, a season of contemplation and prayer for many Christians. What’re your thoughts on Lent and do you believe this should be part of our spiritual practices?
Here’s today’s nougat
NOW there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. Acts 13.1
What a motley group! I doubt that many were inclined to those men initially. Of the five prophets and teachers, Barnabas was purported to be a Levite, Simeon, a “black” Jew, Lucius a North African, Manean a possible playmate or foster brother of Herod, and Saul … well, you know Saul. Not the most noble or likely group of converts to connect with the early church.
And yet, God chose to build God’s ministry to the Gentiles primarily on these five. Why? Perhaps it’s the outsider element in each of their lives. Maybe it was the combined gifts and skills inherent in their education. Or maybe, it was that once again, God took the foolish things of our contemplation to make them wise and special.
But … No, make that and.
And here’s the fun bit. If God could call a Levite, a black Jew, a North African, the foster brother of the Judeo-Roman leadership and a murderous zealot to service in ministry … Rest assured there’s room and work for you and I.
Not our past, not our status, not our birthright, not our nationality/race, not our nicknames, not our connectedness (or lack thereof), not even our former spiritual practices; no, none of these has the power to prohibit God calling us to specialised ministry.
But then, we have to choose to answer the call. That’s one way of contemplating Lent. A season of intentionally listening for God’s call (just like Jesus did in the wilderness).
God is calling, are we listening? Selah
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
