Daily reflection for the Season of Lent

Monday 15th March 2021

Time to go!

One of the stories that has been making the headlines concerns one of the most influential evangelical Christian women in America called Beth Moore. She is a highly respected figure and a noted speaker. It has been reported in the news that she has broken her links with America’s biggest denomination, The Southern Baptist Convention. The reason for her decision to quit appears to be over the denomination’s’ stance towards women. Moore has been a leading advocate for the victims of sexual abuse and intimidation. Further, she has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump’s treatment of women, which again put her out of step within the denomination, many of whom are devoted Trump supporters.   So, now she has decided it has come time to go. I think Beth Moore did the right thing. Good for her!

Bible Reading

James 1:22
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Reflection

There is a tension within the heart of the Christian faith which is witnessed in the life of every church and fellowship. We are sinners - we have each contributed to the brokenness of the world - yet we are forgiven and reconciled and deeply loved. We exist solely by grace and faith in Jesus Christ. And yet we are expected to reveal the marks of salvation which is a product of the inner working of the Holy Spirit leading to a change of heart and lifestyle.

The theological word to describe the inward work of the Holy Spirit is sanctification. Each Christian believer is a work in process. Until the day we pass into eternity we remain sinners. With perfection only fully achieved and realised in glory!
So the tension is this – imperfect people worshiping a perfect God and declaring a gospel of love and grace and forgiveness in an imperfect world.

Sometimes the tension can be come too strong. Toxic relationships, manipulative, or divisive leadership, proclaiming a false gospel, demeaning attitudes towards women or ignoring blatant breaches of social justice etc. (In my opinion Beth Moore was right to walk away.) But most of the time, the tension is simply how it us. Fallen humans, muddling through, but trying faithfully to follow Jesus. If you want a perfect church, you will never find it.

Prayers

God of peace, there are many places and many people who do not experience your peace.
Right now there are many, many women and children who live under the dark weight of the fear of violence right in their own homes. We pray for your protection, and for wisdom for friends and officials to help bring that right protection to them.
We pray for the many men who themselves feel powerless and confused about their relationships. We ask that you would help them find healthy ways to work out their frustrations and to find hope without resorting to destructive impulses. God, work in our country to stem this epidemic. We ask for your perfect peace. Amen.
We cannot merely pray to you, O God, to end war;
For we know that You have made the world in a way that people must find their own path to peace within themselves and with their neighbours.
We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end starvation.
For You have already given us the resources with which to feed the entire world, if we would only use them wisely.
We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to root out prejudice;
For You have already given us eyes with which to see the good in all people, if we would only use them rightly.
We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end despair;
For You have already given us the power to clear away slums and to give hope, if we would only use our power justly.
We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end disease;
For You have already given us great minds with which to search out cures and healing, if we would only use them constructively.
Therefore we pray to You instead, O God, for strength, determination and will power,
To do instead of just pray,
To become instead of merely to wish. Amen
God of yesterday, today and tomorrow,
we call to mind your presence within us and around us.
Open our ears that we may hear your Word.
Open our hearts that we may understand your Word.
Open our mouths that we may speak your World.
Inspire us with the Gospel message,
that we may celebrate all that is life-giving,
restore hope where it has been lost,
and work to bring about change where it is needed.
May we live the Gospel with courage,
constancy and love.
May we be open to the challenge
of your call to true freedom.
May we be faithful to you in our daily choices and decisions.
May we make your love known
through our words and actions.
May the triune God reign in our hearts, now and forever.
Amen

Blessing

Just as God’s Word was sent into the world
to heal and redeem,
so God sends you into the world this day
to be light and love, healing and hope.
Go now to be light for the world!
And may the grace and peace of God the Creator,
the Redeemer, and the Sustainer
come upon you this day
and remain with you always.
Amen.