My companion during this Lenten season is a copy of The Little Black Book – six minute meditations on the Passion of Mark. The book’s intent is to guide the reader through the daily meditative readings and develop a practice of prayer based on reflection and meditation. The intentional use of this Little Black Book is framing my observance of Lent in a simple way and for this, I am grateful. Simplicity is what I need so as to not get caught up in a legalistic performance based adherence. This first Sunday of Lent finds me in a place of peaceful, joyful consolation – a stark contrast to the unsettling desolation of Ash Wednesday. Getting ready for church this morning, I wondered if I could genuinely commemorate Lent unless I sink into a dark place of serious introspection, sacrifice and penance. Imagine my sense of relief and freedom when our new teaching pastor, Shane Hipps, invited anyone who is in a place of light during this dark season – a counterpoint to the glory of Easter, to observe Lent as a symbol of solidarity for those in our community who are grieving. If you are dreading the darkness, might you find here a little beam of light which will illuminate your path – a loving presence representative of the Living Christ - to point you to the liberating Truth of the gospel – the good news that will help to set you free from some hidden snares of avoided places of grief, pain and old wounds. Perhaps, walking together through the next five weeks of Sundays, we can find simple things to be grateful for each day despite the solemnity of these days before Easter and thus direct thankful hearts to our loving Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
With that said, here’s my list of five things that I’m grateful for today:
The Little Black Book
Our new teaching pastor, Shane Hipps
The fellowship of disciples that is Mars Hill Bible Church
Sabbath rest
This season of Lent
What are you grateful for today? Can you name five things? or is the darkness keeping you from seeing them? What one thing, then?
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