Saturday, March 8

When I move through Lent and enter Easter the right way, I’m always left speechless! Paul reminds in Romans: “This Resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Mama/Papa?” (The Message) This year I hope to take a little more time savoring God’s miracle gift of Resurrection faith, a gift to me, of all people!

I hope I’ll remember to call to mind the humble vessels the Spirit used to pry me open to receive the Gift of Resurrection faith: My Mom, of whom our local newspaper headlined front page, top right column: “Death of gentle churchwoman widely felt.” First woman Elder at our Presbyterian Church; giver through and through! My Dad, Elder as well, who had his first heart attack after taking Christmas gifts to a blind man in a 5th floor walk-up in Philadelphia. Carl and Marsha Mazza, founders of “The Meeting Ground,” a truly remarkable refuge for the homeless, whose inspiration was Proverbs 22:2: “The rich and poor shake hands as equals-God made them both.” Nelson Mandela, who gladly took the call on his life from God, putting his hand to the plow and never looking back, no matter the cost! And so many more Resurrection nurturers......

I hope, too, that this Lent and Easter, I’ll make the time not only to ponder the lives of the many who have nurtured the Resurrection faith with which God has gifted me, but also to call to mind those things in me which continue to stifle and squash the work the Spirit has set out to do in me. How right Paul was when he said: “The power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions. I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway.” (The Message)

How glibly I sing with gusto:

“Here I am, Lord, Is it I, Lord? 

I have heard you calling in the night. 

I will go, Lord, if you lead me. 

I will hold your people in my heart.

Then I plant my feet refusing to allow the Resurrected Lord to have his way!

PRAYER: Lord, grace me to move beyond my sin and into your perfect will for me one day at a time! Amen.

Craig Peel