"The Journey"
We enter the third week
of the Lenten season—almost half way to Resurrection Sunday—today.
I invite you to listen to one the Old Testament’s major
prophets, Isaiah, as we think about the need for this season of
self-examination and renewal.
His message to us is as current as the latest book or
newspaper you might have read.
Just as barriers in the
flow of water create stagnation, we can experience situations that
create stagnation in our souls.
It is an old trick of the devil.
It has occurred to me in the last three weeks that this
season can protect us from this danger.
I believe God
understands stagnation of soul.
He knows its danger to our spirits, and He gives us ways to
avoid it. The early
church saw the dangers, too.
Those early Christians developed ways to avoid stagnation
through various times of the year.
Advent and Lent come to mind as primary times of intentional
focus and preparation.
How do we know when our
lives are stagnant? Many
of us don’t always readily see it in our own lives.
We are more prone to see it in others.
One of the best reasons for accountability within the body of
Christ is that it gives us someone who can see our blind spots—the
very same spots that may allow stagnation in our souls.
Are you growing in your
walk with Jesus? If you
aren’t, you may want to think about stagnation.
Do you spend time in God’s Word and prayer?
If you don’t, stagnation is probably on the way.
Do you pursue the nurturing of your soul beyond an hour and
fifteen minutes in church each week?
If not, Isaiah’s message may be the antidote to soul
stagnation. Listen
carefully!
Pastor John
