From the Pastor’s Desk – February 2016

FEBRUARY, SCRIPTURALLY SPEAKING
A sign of God is to be led where you did not want to go.
 
“Tootle-poot”, “Buggy On”, “Boogey on down the road!” These are casual leave-takings-and-goings a little more purposeful than merely wandering; but they are less-purposeful than, say, “We’re off to see the Wizard!”
 
“Let’s split!” “Bug out!” Jiggers, the cops!” These are leave-takings and goings with a definite purpose but not necessarily a known destination.
 
“I’m outtahere!” “Eat my dust!” “Try and stop me!” These are undebatable leave-takings and goings with an inferred purpose and an implied destination of “anywhere but here”.
 
“Now it’s time, To say good-bye, To all our company…” “Quo vadis?” In other words, Gotta go! And, Go where?
 
When Jesus had grown and waxed strong, the Scriptures say, he heard that John the Baptist had been arrested. He announced suddenly that he must be up and going, for his time had come—time to be about His Father’s business—a divine time that carries its own purpose and supercedes any other destination(s). And what of Jesus’ followers? Shouldn’t we be up and going, too, with the One who calls us to “follow”?
 
Quo vadis? – Where are you going? – is the importunate question as Lent begins. The baptismal waters are long dry upon our heads, replaced with an ashen smear reminding us—once again—that  having left the font of renewing waters, we have begun a journey of following Christ into the wilderness,
trusting in God’s gracious promise to be with us the whole way,
temptation by temptation,
day by day,
step by step,
to the Holy City of Christ’s death—
the Cross—
and resurrection!

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

Cordially,
Bruce