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A Franciscan Blessing

A Franciscan Blessing as we conclude our reflections on apathy:

“May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.  May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.  May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.  And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.” 

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Pastor Craig Groeschel’s* third step in fasting from apathy is simple but difficult: embrace what hurts.  He states that we have bought into the lie that “it’s easier for us to not care.”  Groeschel challenges that lie, saying: “I would rather hurt with a purpose than exist without one.  I would rather hurt with a divine calling than exist without one.  I would rather cry myself to sleep sometimes because we’re not making the difference we want to make instead of binge–watch myself to sleep, wasting my life doing nothing.” 

To fast from apathy is to embrace the hurt.  “If our version of Christianity is all about our comfort, we are following a false God.”  Moses was blessed with a burden – “Let my people go.”  He embraced the risk of pain and through doing so, his efforts freed his people from slavery in Egypt.  Yes, his service was costly, but God burdened his heart with a purpose to make a difference.   

Reflect

Where have you been blessed with a burden?  What do you find yourself doing to try to avoid feeling the hurt?  When was the last time you grieved over the greater impact you wish you could make?  Are you binge–watching yourself to sleep?  Are you using your life for God’s purposes? 

The goal of Christianity is not comfort and ease.  In order to fast from apathy, one must embrace the hurt. 

Study

Luke 19:41-43 

As he came near and saw the city (Jerusalem), he wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace!  But now they are hidden from your eyes.  Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. 

Pray

Let us pray: 

Lord God, it is so hard to thank you for our burdens, those places where our hearts are heavy when we see pain in this world.  But we say thank you anyway.  Shake us out of our complacency, realizing that “comfort” is not our god or goal in life.  We pray this in the name of the one who calls us to fish for people, Jesus Christ our Lord, 

Amen.

*Used by permission from Life Church.   

Please contact the church office if you’d like to receive the daily devotions through email.

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As you journey through Lent, it is important to remember that you are not alone.  Not only is God with you, but your community of faith is on this same road.  Beginning today, various small groups will meet to discuss our series on “Fasting from. . .”  Consider joining us for a lively discussion on these important themes which impact our lives, our relationships and our relationship with and service to God.   

 Choose one of the following discussion groups:

• • • Sunday at 10 am  |  Deeper Dive Adult Sunday school
    • Monday at 7 pm  |  Monday evening men’s group
    • Second and fourth Tuesday at 12 noon  |  Tuesday afternoon women’s group
    • Wednesday at 4:30 pm  |  Join us for dinner and midweek worship.
    • Wednesday at 7 pm  |  Join us for dinner and midweek worship.

In addition to these devotions and discussion groups, regular worship is critical in fasting from apathy.  Being isolated in your faith journey gives complacency the upper hand.  Consistent worship, scripture reading and prayer are powerful tools in the fight against apathy.    

Study

Hebrews 10:24-25 

Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another. 

Pray

Let us pray: 

Lord God, you call us to walk with you on a daily basis, but to particularly set apart one day a week for sabbath keeping – worship, time for prayer and learning, time with family, recharging of our spiritual batteries.  Help us not to neglect meeting together in your church, as we seek to encourage and be encouraged by others.  We pray in the name of the one who surrounded himself by close friends and ministry partners, Jesus Christ our Lord, 

Amen.  

Please contact the church office if you’d like to receive the daily devotions through email.