Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The new month is upon us and a new month of activities and challenges approach. Let us pray, “Thy will be done.” As we pray and reflect on those words, we remember that Jesus gave us those words to help us boldly and confidently approach our heavenly father. As we look to God and pray the Lord’s prayer time after time, we need to remember that each time we are asking “the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth” (Is 40:28) :
To remember us in His will.
To remember us in His divine providence and protection.
To remind us that we need His healing and health.
To remind us that without His Son we would be lonely and lost.
To remind us that His will is that we have the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation.
“Not as I will, but as You will,” Jesus prayed to His Father the night before He went to the cross for our salvation. And that is our prayer as well this Lent as we seek to do God’s will in our lives, as we draw near to the observance of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection during Holy Week.
As we enter the Lenten season this February remember, “Thy will be done.” Remember, because Christ has remembered you. He has remembered you and gives His steadfast love to you in His Word and Sacraments. “The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His steadfast love” (Ps 147:11). Our hope and trust are in God’s will. Our hope and trust is in Jesus.
“Not as I will, but as you will.” A new month is upon us and new challenges are coming. The Narthex renovations continue moving forward bringing with them the joys and challenges of a live-in renovation. Plus, many activities are scheduled for February including Basics of the Faith, Trivia Challenge, Ash Wednesday, and Theology 101. I am sure many challenges are coming in your own personal life as well—challenges with family and friends, challenges with time and schedules, challenges with keeping up with life. So, pray, “Thy will be done” and trust in the God who renews your strength. Trust and wait on the God who lifts you up to soar on the wings of eagles.
Your Servant in Christ,
Vicar Scheele