Pastor Gideon Tsang invited us to orient our focus toward the Lenten season ahead; a journey that will be shaped by repentance ("changing our mind"), prayerfulness, and vulnerability.
Text
1 Corinthians 2: 1-8
"Powerlessness is our greatest treasure. Don’t try to get rid of it. Everything in us wants to get rid of it. Grace is sufficient for you, but not something you can understand. To be in too big a hurry to get over our difficulties is a mistake because you don’t know how valuable they are from God’s perspective, for without them you might never be transformed as deeply and as thoroughly”
-Thomas Keating
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.”
-Brene Brown
“Maturity is not the hallmark of our culture. Our culture is conspicuous for its obsession with ‘getting and spending’. Instead of becoming more, we either get more or do more. So it is not surprising that many people are offering to sell us maps for living better than we are without having to grow up: maps to financial security, sexual gratification, music appreciation, athletic prowess, a better car, a better job, a better education, a better vacation. As it turns out, the maps never get us to where we wanted to go: the more we get and do, the less we are.”
- Eugene Peterson
Reflection
In the upcoming Lenten season, how will you "change your mind" (repent)? What vices or patterns is God asking you to set aside? What rhythms and practices might you pick up instead?
What tool might you have or find that can help you facilitate vulnerability?
Worship Set
Here is Our King
All Creatures Of Our God And King
It Is Well
Jesus Is King
Nothing But The Blood
Let This Heart Not Wander