Daily reflection for the Season of Lent

Thursday 4th March 2021

‘A new thing!'

This coming Saturday evening we are taking part in a family meal Via Zoom. The main topic of conversation will undoubtedly be the welcome news of a forthcoming family wedding! As you can imagine everyone is delighted with the news. The couple appear to be a good match and are head over heals in love. As well as celebrating the news of a new family coming into being, we are gong to try a new recipe which comes from a region of Italy known as Le Marche for ‘Pasta al forno con pollo picante, pomodori e spinaci,’ otherwise known as Orecchiette with spicy chicken, tomatoes, and spinach.

Bible Reading

Isaiah 43:18-21

“Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland.
The wild animals honour me,
    the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
    the people I formed for myself
    that they may proclaim my praise.

Reflection

Our lives are enriched by ‘new things.’ Trying out new recipes, going to a new holiday destination, a new friendship, a change in career or embracing retirement, trying out a new hobby or sport can be stimulating experiences and prevent our lives becoming tired and stale. The same is true of God, who brings a new dynamic into our lives.  When you encounter the power behind creation and discover that you are known and loved it is impossible to remain unchanged.
Consider all the positive things that have come into your life. How have they changed you? 
And why not bring before God all the changes you would like to see?
'Nothing paralyzes our lives like the attitude that things can never change. We need to remind ourselves that God can change things. Outlook determines outcome. If we see only the problems, we will be defeated; but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory.'

Warren Wiersbe

A Prayer based on Psalm 27

Light-giving, salvation-making God,
we have staked our living and our dying
and our being raised to new life
on your steadfast love and faithfulness.
You have promised.
to hide us in your shelter in the day of trouble.
You have promised to set us high on a rock,
above those powers and forces
that batter us,
that tempt us,
that work against us.
We have sought your presence here,
listening for your Word:
your Word that gives life;
your Word that heals the wounded heart;
your Word that speaks truth.
Teach us your Way, O Lord Jesus.
Lead us on a well-lighted path.
In the times when you are silent,
grant us the courage to wait,
trusting in your grace that brings your resurrection power
to our dead ends.
You are doing a ‘new thing’ among us.
though, it is hard to see at times what that ‘new thing’ is.
We bring to you our grieving over what is being lost,
our fears about what the future might hold,
our desire to love and serve you.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
you are refining us,
purifying our discipleship,
pulling us into following Jesus
In this new world.
Grant us mercy and grace
to trust you more deeply,
for the only secure place is with you,
our light and our salvation,
the stronghold of our life.
We pray all these things in the name of Jesus,
the first-born of your new creation
our hope, our life.
Amen

(Prayer by Christine Jerrett.)

Blessing

May God the Father,
who does not despise the broken spirit,
give to you a contrite heart.
Amen.
May Christ,
who bore our sins in his body on the tree,
heal you by his wounds.
Amen.
May the Holy Spirit,
who leads us into all truth,
speak to you words of pardon and peace.
Amen.
And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.