A Daily Lenten Journey
Pastor’s Note
“Whatareyouafraidof?”
Dependingonthetone,thisquestioncancomfortusorrattleus Itcanbeadare,challengingustodenyorpush pastourfear Itcanbeashame-inducer,suggestingthatifweareafraid,somethingmustbewrongwithus But itcanalsobeaninvitation:agentle,honestquestionthathelpsusnameourfearsmoreclearly,getbeneaththe surface,anddiscoverthattheshadowfearcastsisoftenlargerthanwhatisactuallythere Itcanevenbeaword ofsolidarity,remindingusthatwearenotaloneinourfear
Fearisacrucialpartofbeinghuman.Itprotectsus,alertsustodanger,andhelpsuscareforourselvesandone another. Fear is an important signal, meant to guide us toward life. But fear can also take control. It can outgrow the real dangers we face, narrow our vision, freeze us when movement is needed, or drive us toward fighting, fleeing,orappeasinginwaysthatharmourselvesandothers,andperpetuatecyclesofviolenceandoppression. Whenfeargoesunnamed,itquietlyrulesus.
The aim of this season is not to get rid of fear, but to form a wiser relationship with it This Lent, we will take a careful look at how fear works in us and around us We will pay attention to how fear is used to control and convince, how it weaves stories that sound close enough to truth to be believable, and how it ties us up in knots Wewillwrestlewithscripture’srepeatedrefrain “Fearnot” andwiththepromisethat“perfectlovecastsoutfear” And alongside that honest work, we will listen for the deeper, truer story of God’s love We will allow God’s love to loosentheknotsfearmakes,andwewillchoose againandagain tobindourselvesmoredeeplytothatlove In doingso,weareformedandstrengthenedasGod’speople,growingincourage,trust,andholyboldness Over these six weeks of Lent, I invite you to join in the daily devotional practices that follow The rhythm of each weeklookslikethis:
Sundays introduce the scripture and theme for the week and invite us to engage the Fear Not! Fear Knots practice-atangiblewaytoprayerfullynameourfears,loosentheirgrip,andbindourselvestoGod’slove Mondaysask,WhatAreWeAfraidOf?aswelisteninwardlyandminebeneaththesurfaceofourfear Tuesdays remind us that we are Not Alone Because fear thrives in isolation, we turn toward one another and practicedeeplistening
WednesdaysgroundusinthetruththatweareSeenandHeld,thatwearebeloved Ourfeardoesnotdefine us.
ThursdaysinvitediscernmentasweexamineStoriesandStorytellers.Whatarethefalsestoriesfeartells?Who istellingthem,andtowhatend?
FridayscallusintoCouragethroughsmall,doablepracticesthatgentlystretchusbeyondfear.
Saturdays allow us to rest in God’s love, proclaiming that Love Remains, reflect on the week, and gather the wisdomfearhasyielded.
Maythisseasonbeoneinwhichfearloosensitshold,lovegrowsstronger,andwediscoveranewthatwedonot walkthisroadalone
A Guide to Fear Knots
Our“FearNot!”Lentenseriesinvitesustonoticehowfeartiesusinknots.Feartellsstoriesthatresemblethetruth closelyenoughtobebelievable.DuringthisseasonofLent,wepracticenamingthosefearstories,looseningtheir grip, and re-tying our lives in love Fear Knots are not about fixing ourselves or eliminating fear, but about noticingfearwithoutjudgmentandchoosing,againandagain,tobindourselvestoGod’slove
As a tangible expression of this journey, we are offering Fear Knots materials You may pick them up during worship or from the church office during the week If you would like the materials mailed to you, please contact the office You are also welcome to make your own or to adapt this practice in a way that works best for you (Alternativepracticesareincludedbelow)
Becausefearoftenlivesinourbodiesbeforewecannameitinwords,tangibleprayerpracticeshelpusengage fearwithourwholeselves hands,breath,attention,andheart
What’s Included
InyourFearKnotsmaterials,you’llfind: Apurplesatincordwith10knots Asmallbagwith10coloredbeads
AbookletwithbriefversionsofmeditationsforeachFearKnot
How to Use Fear Knots
Oneachdesignatedday(seechart),afearstoryisnamed Youareinvitedtoreflectonhowthisfearshowsup in your own life In the booklet, a journal, or this devotional wherever you prefer write a word (or more) that nameshowthisfearisyourstory Letthatreflectionbecomeyourprayerasyouuntietheindicatedknot Then listen for God’s love story Write a word (or more) that re-writes the fear story Let that reflection be your prayer as you slide the indicated bead onto the cord (over the other knots) and retie the bead onto the cord withadoubleknot.
OneachoftheseFearKnotdays,wewillalsoengagethispracticeinworship.Youarewelcometoparticipatein person or virtually, or to engage the practice on your own. You’ll also find connections to the Fear Knots woven throughoutthisdevotional.Theimportantthingisthattheyareyours.Donotworryabouttherightcolor,theright knot,ortherightday Youmaymovethroughtheknotsmoreslowlyormorequicklythanthecalendarsuggests trustyourownpace Thesepracticesareheretoserveyou nottheotherwayaround
On Other Days of Lent
Ondaysnotlistedinthechart,youareinvitedtoholdthebeadsasyoumovethroughthedailydevotionals,orto revisitearlierknotsandnoticewhatisshiftingorchangingovertime
If You’re Making Your Own
If you create your own Fear Knots, choose a material that allows knots to be untied without too much difficulty. Our beads are large enough to slide over previously tied knots (though a gentle tug may be needed). If your beads won’t pass over knots easily, simply don’t pre-tie the cord, tie each knot as you come to it on the designateddays
An Alternative Embodied Practice
If cords and beads aren’t for you, that’s okay You may substitu reflect on the fear story, slowly tense the muscles of your body, your toes As you reflect on God’s love story, slowly release the looseningofyourmusclesmirrorthelooseningoffear’sgrip
Use May
Devotional
Of Dust
AshWedne
Thesearethe wearefinite,
With the smu of anything e mirrorandslo
Notice what unsettling?C
Asyoulisten, -Rev.J
*TodayisaFe
Fear Knots: Prayer Tool and Tangible Symbol
Thursday,February19
HavingaphysicalobjecttoaccompanyyouthroughLentcandeepenprayer Somethingheldinyourhandscan ground you, focus your attention, and gently call you back to reflection throughout the day Used this way, an objectbecomesbothreminderandprayer
Throughout Lent, you are invited to use Fear Knots as a tangible prayer practice. Fear Knot materials are available at the church, and we will engage this practice together in worship each Sunday. If you would like the materials mailed to you, please contact the church office. You are also welcome to make your own your Fear Knots do not need to look exactly like those we provide (You can read more about how the practice works on page3-4).
Fear Knots help us notice how the false stories fear tells can tie us up inside As we examine those fears, God’s loveloosenswhatfearhastightened Whenaknotisuntiedandabeadisadded,wesymbolicallyreleasefear’s storyandbindourselvesmoredeeplytoGod’slove Ifyouhaven’tgatheredyourFearKnotmaterialsyet,todayis agooddaytobegin
-Rev.JennySmithWalz
Fearing our Fears
Friday,February20
EvenwhenIwalkthroughthedarkestvalley,Ifearnodangerbecauseyouarewithme. ~Psalm23:4(CEB)
Fearisrarelysomethingwewanttoexamineclosely.Andyetfearsurroundsus inourheadlines,ourpolitics,our relationships,andourowninnervoices.Whenfeargoesunexamined,itquietlygainspoweroverus.Namingand examiningourfearsloosensthatgripandhelpsusreclaimsomeofwhatfearhastaken.
Thisworkisnoteasy.Facingfearrequirescourage.Itoftenrequirescommunity.Anditisholy,grace-filledwork.It isGod’sgrace,afterall,thatgivesusthecouragetobegin Psalm23remindsusthatwedonotwalkthroughthe valleyoffearalone Godiswithusthere,andthatpresencealreadysoftensfear’shold
Today,noticewhatyoufindfearfulaboutfearitself Whatdoyouneedinordertofaceitthisseason?Nameone thingyouneedfromGod,andletitbecomeyourprayer Thennameonethingyoucanaskofanotherperson andtaketherisktoask
-Rev.JennySmithWalz
God is Love
Saturday,February21
TheLordisgraciousandmerciful, slowtoangerandaboundinginsteadfastlove. TheLordisgoodtoall, andhismercyisoverallthathehasmade.
~Psalm145:8-9(ESV)
When was the last time you really considered who God is? When did you last wonder about how God might be showing up in your story, the stories of our neighbors, or the story of the world? When did you last practice holy noticing,lookingforGodineventhemostmundanemoments?
WhenIslowdownenoughtonoticeGod’spresence,totraceGod’simpactinmyownlife,Iamoverwhelmedby God’sgoodnessandgrace Eveninmydarkestmoments,Godhasnotturnedaway God’sloveforallcreationiswovenintotheveryfabricofourtatteredandbeautifullives
Take a moment today to think about where God is showing up in your life. As you identify marks of love and grace no matter how big or small practice naming and acknowledging them. Maybe this is through writing, drawing, or even dancing. In whatever way feels most authentic to you, consider, wonder about, and notice God’sgrace“overallthat[God]hasmade.”
-BrookeFoster
Week 1 - Fear Not. . . Being Seen
Fear Not. . .Being Seen
Sunday,February22
Fromthebeginning,thehumanstoryhasincludedhiding AdamandEveeat,theireyesareopened,andalmost immediately they step back, cover up, and disappear into the foliage Fear whispers that being fully seen will leadtoshame,rejection,orloss Sowehideourquestions,ourwounds,ourmistakes,ourdesires,evenfromGod
Yetthisstorydoesn’tendwithexposureaspunishment Godcomeslooking nottocondemn,buttoclothe God names what is true, and then tenderly covers what is vulnerable To be seen by God is not to be stripped bare, buttobeknownandcaredfor
Much of our fear is bound up in the belief that if others truly saw us, we would not survive it Or more often we fear that our relationship would not survive if another saw certain aspects of us But love tells a different story Loveseesclearlyandstays Lovedoesnotavertitsgaze Lovemakesroomanddeepensbelonging
Thisweek,noticewhereyouaretemptedtohide yourfeelings,yourfailures,yourhopes Whatmightitmeanto trust that being seen could be an opening rather than a threat? Where is God already seeing you fully, with tendernessandgrace?
Genesis2:15-17,3:1-13,21 -Rev JennySmithWalz
*TodayisaFearKnotday SeetheFearKnotbookletfortoday’smeditation SecondKnot.RedBead.
Step Into the Light
Monday,February23
God offers us paths into fullness by seeing and being seen in our world We approach and offer ourselves, our energy, and our gifts When what we offer serves a connection, we rejoice in being seen, and in seeing others When what we bring disappoints, we hate what we see We retreat and hide in shame from people, the world, andGod Weareafraidofnotbeingenoughorworthyoflivingintofullness
FEARNOT!TrustGodwhohascreatedyouandloveswhatGodsees Stepintothelight,andwhenyoucan,shed yourlightgentlyonotherssotheycansee,beseenandlovedforthemselves -LaVernaAlbury
Radical Acceptance through Christ
Tuesday,February24 1
“Jesuscallshisfollowerstolove,toloveoneanotherashelovesthem;notjusttoloveothersasoneloves oneself Heproposessomethingnew;toloveotherswiththeveryloveofGod;toseethemwiththeeyesof theLord AndwecanonlyseeandlovethemlikethatifweourselveshaveexperiencedJesuslovinguswitha liberatinglove Itisonlythenthatwecanopenourselvesandbecomevulnerableandgrowtogreater opennesstoothers”
Sometimes accepting that we cannot forgive and love someone as is expected as a Christian can be counterintuitivelyliberating Theradicalcallingforforgivenessandloveforanotherisadreadfulmissionifweare inchargeofthatmission TheonlywayitispossibleisbylettingGodtakeoverthematter
I invite you to call the name of someone who may need your love and/or forgiveness, depending on your relationship with them You can either say, “God loves you so much, and so do I But what I call my love is incomplete, compared to God’s love So I want you to receive God’s love through me, and I’m willing to let God usemeasachannelofGod’sunendingloveforyou,”or,“Icannotforgiveyou,butGodcan Myhumannessmay rejecttheideaofforgiveness,butIchoosetoletGodtakeovermeandbringpeaceuponmeandyou”
-IsaacShin
We All Need Loving Kindness
Wednesday,February25
Sylvia Boorstein’s Loving Kindness Meditation from the On Being podcast is a wonderful accompaniment to thispractice AvailableonSpotify
Loving Kindness meditation, rooted in Buddhism, can allow Christians to re-center themselves in God’s love WhenI’mfearful,LovingKindnesshelpsmeseethatallpeople,eventhoseIfear,areGod’schildren Allhurt,seek joy,andwantmeaning Thisshiftsmyperspective Iinviteyoutotrythebelowpractice:
Thinkofsomeoneyoulove,andrepeatthesewords,thinkingofthem:
Mayyoubejoyful,mayyouknowGod’slove
Repeat this phrase, now, for someone you have neutral feelings for Then, try it for someone you feel negatively about,perhapssomeonewhoscaresyou Spendafewminutesdoingthisforeachperson/group Focusonthe placesinyourbodywhereyouholdfear,whatfeelingsaretherenow?
-TylerMathiasen
The Voices We Hear
Thursday,February26
Sonow,OIsrael,whatdoestheLordyourGodrequireofyou?OnlytofeartheLordyourGod,towalkinallhis ways,tolovehim,toservetheLordyourGodwithallyourheartandwithallyoursoul ~Deuteronomy10:12
We are fearful of being seen just as Adam and Eve were fearful after eating the forbidden fruit Today’s advertising industry tells us that we don’t look the perfect size and shape; we don’t wear the correct clothes or possesstherightstufforliveinthebesthouseandonandon ButwhatdoesGodtellusistheperfectperson?
cont nextpg
1Vanier,Jean CommunityandGrowth PaulistPress,1989,reviseded,p 31
There’snothingabouthowwelookorwhatwehave! Wouldn’titbegreatifwecouldallremember. Godacceptsusasweare.(Weareenough…..)
GodwantsustostriveforGod’skingdom.(TheBeatitudes)
Godasksustoloveeveryneighborasourselves (Ourmission)
Prayer:CreatorGod,helpmetoacceptmyselfasyoumademeandtoacceptmyneighborasyoumadethem Help us to disregard the voices of this world that tell us so many negative messages Help us use our time workingforyourkingdom
-YvonneMacdonald
God’s Love Flows Within
Friday,February27
When we find ourselves amidst fear and anxiety, it is easy to be swept up by it Indeed, fear tends to gulp our attention and focus from everything else However, know that fear does not deserve us, our love, and our attention Infact,thelovethatcanbecherishedwithinusissopreciousthatGodwoulddescendintothebroken worldtosaveit
Thinkabouttheunderlyingfearandanxietyofyourcurrentsituationandproclaimthatyourloveispreciousand that you want to spend your energy not in fear, but for cherishing the love of God and allowing God to use you asthechannelofGod’slove
-IsaacShin
Replenishing Love
Saturday,February28
“EverytimeyoulistenwithgreatattentivenesstothevoicethatcallsyoutheBeloved,youwilldiscoverwithin yourself a desire to hear that voice longer and more deeply. It is like discovering a well in the desert. Once youhavetouchedwetground,youwanttodigdeeper.”
Godknowsourinnermostthoughts,fears,desires,everyhaironourheads,andcallsusbeloved Godseesyou everypartofyou andstill,Godcallsyoubeloved
For some of us, this may be easier to say than it is to really believe. And yet, we know that this God is the same GodwhoforgaveKingDavid,empoweredthestutteringyoungMoses,andevencametoliveamongusthrough thewombofanunwed,teenageMary.
God’sloveforusisn’tcontingentonwhoweare,whatwedo(ordon’tdo),orwhatwehave.God’sloveisalways availabletous,goingbefore,after,andwithus,throughGod’somniscientgrace
Whatifwelivedlikethisweretrue?
-BrookeFoster
Nouwen,HenriJ M LifeoftheBeloved:SpiritualLivinginaSecularWorld PublishDrive,2002,reprinted https://www.perlego.com/book/4324368,37. 2
Poem to Ponder . . .
Inthispoem,Williamsondevelopsthebeliefthatin“everynationtherearewoundstoheal In every heart, there is power to do it” It is interesting to note that Nelson Mandela quoted thepoeminhisinauguralspeech
OurDeepestFear
byMarianneWilliamson
Ourdeepestfearisnotthatweareinadequate. Ourdeepestfearisthatwearepowerfulbeyondmeasure ItisourLight,notourDarkness,thatmostfrightensus Weaskourselves,whoamItobebrilliant,gorgeous, talented,fabulous?
Actually,whoareyounottobe? YouareachildofGod Yourplayingsmalldoesnotserve theWorld
Thereisnothingenlighteningaboutshrinking sothatotherpeoplewon’tfeelunsurearoundyou
WewereborntomakemanifestthegloryofGodthatis withinus.
Itisnotjustinsomeofus;itisineveryone. AsweletourownLightshine, weconsciouslygiveotherpeoplepermissiontodothe same
Asweareliberatedfromourownfear, ourpresenceautomaticallyliberatesothers
Week 2 - Fear Not. . .
God is Still Here
Fear Not. . .God is Still Here
Sunday,March1
Ezra3:10-13
When the foundation of the new temple is laid, joy and grief collide Some shout with praise Others grieve and weep, remembering what once was Change has a way of disorienting us, especially when it threatens the meaning of what we loved and built Fear tells us that what mattered before no longer counts, that loss erases value,andthatnewnesserodesthesignificanceofwhatcamebefore.
ButEzra’sstoryholdsbothsoundstogether joyandsorrowrisingatonce.Goddoesnotsilencegriefinorderto makeroomforhope.ThepresenceofGodspanswhatwasandwhatisbecoming.Nothingfaithfuliswasted.
So often, we fear change because we cannot recognize our world anymore We fear that what shaped us has been left behind Yet God’s love does not abandon what came before God weaves old and new into a larger storystillunfolding
This week, notice where change has unsettled you What are you grieving? What is emerging? How has the previous foundation made what is emerging possible? Can you trust that God is present in the overlap in the honoringofwhatwasandtheholinessofwhatisbeingbuilt?
-Rev.JennySmithWalz
*TodayisaFearKnotday.SeetheFearKnotbookletfortoday’smeditation. ThirdKnot.OrangeBead.
A Crippling Fear
Monday,March2
Donotbefrightened,anddonotbedismayed,fortheLordyourGodiswithyouwhereveryougo.~Joshua1:9
Childhood fears, so powerful at the time, become silly as the child moves toward adulthood. But what of fears bornfromtragedyandloss.Fearsthatdonotinvolvethe“other?”
cont.onnextpage
Eight years ago, my husband sickened and died within a month. The suddenness unsteadied me, and fear infiltrated,makingmequestioneverythingandtrustinglittleinmyownmentality.Friendshelpedmeprocessmy grief, but fear just kept eroding my confidence. If I had to drive somewhere, I’d call my sister and say, “If I don’t text you by 9:30, you know what to do.” I was convinced I’d get into an accident, be attacked, get lost, die. She’d chidinglysay,“You’llbefine,”butitwasalongtimebeforeIbelievedit Isoughtcounselingandmytherapisttook me through exercises to help me distinguish a rational fear from an irrational one It took several months to master,butbeingabletodosohelpedmelettheworldinagainandenjoyitsmarvelousgifts
-KateLasko
For Such a Time Like This
Tuesday,March3
Andwhoknowsbutthatyouhavecometoyourroyalpositionforsuchatimeasthis?~Esther4:14
InthebookofEsther,wemeetaqueenwhoissafeinthepalaceofPersia,seeminglyunaffectedbythedanger unfoldingbeyonditswalls WhileEstherlivessecurely,Hamanschemesdestructionagainstherpeople Mordecai approaches Queen Esther with the truth, urging her not to stay silent Afraid to approach King Ahasuerus, Esther hesitates Mordecairemindsherofwhosheisandwhyshemighthavebeenplacedthere
Inlightofrecenteventsinthecountryandaroundtheworld,wherepeople,especiallyminorities,liveinconstant fear, this story presses on us Sometimes we feel safe in our abode and untouchable, forgetting others' helplessness
For such a time as this, we are invited to notice where our comfort has kept us silent, and to take small, courageous steps toward loving others Like Esther, we remember who we are and whose we are, trusting that faithfulnessoftenbeginssimplybypayingattention,standingwithothers,andrefusingtoturnaway
Wednesday,March4 -BlessingGwatana
A Note From Your Creator
HelloBeloved,
Yes, you! Beloved, blessed child of mine I know your road’s been bumpy The ground seems to be shifting and you ’relosingyourfooting Youfeelconfusedandafraid
I get it, but get this, Beloved: I will never abandon you, even as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death
PaulgotitrightwhenhewroteIhavenotgivenyou“aspiritoffear,butofpowerandofloveandofsoundmind” (Timothy1:7)So,don’tgetstuckinfear TrustthatspiritIplantedinyou
And,domeafavor:remindtheothers: YouareBeloved YouareEnough Iamrighthere Lovealways, IAM -LaVernaAlbury
The Courage to Rebuild
Thursday,March5
Weusednottodoitthatway! Ilikeditbetterbefore! Itusedtoworkfaster! BeforethePandemicwe ! Godiswithuspast,presentandfuture.
From time to time, a religious community, a city or a nation must come up from the ashes, must struggle to rebuild ThepurposeofthebooksofEzraandNehemiahistosaythatitcanbedone,anditdoesn’ttakeforever iftheleadershipisdedicatedtothecause,ifthepeoplearecommitted,ifitistheplanandpurposeofGod
Takealittletimetoconsiderwhatyouaredoingtomoveforwardwithcourage,totakeholdoffuturechallenges andtothankGodforyourpastexperiencesthatcanbebuilton.
Prayer:OGodofthepast,thepresentandthefuture;mayweenthusiasticallytakeholdofallopportunitiesinour individualspheresoflife.
-YvonneMacdonald
Exposed to Fear but Engulfed in Love
Friday,March6
Godisourrefugeandstrength,averypresenthelpintrouble. ~Psalm46:1
Exposure and Response Prevention is a tool for obsessive compulsive disorder ERP asks individuals to expose themselves to a fear source Instead of engaging in self-soothing behavior, they sit with the feelings and emotions that result. The logic is to expose oneself to triggering things while dulling/weakening the impulse for compulsivebutultimatelyunhelpfulbehavior.
Manyofuscanpracticemindfulpresencewithfear.Perhapsit’smildsocialanxietyoruneaseinbodiesofwater. Considerthispractice:
NotingGod’spresence,thinkofasituationthatcreatesmildfear
Feel what sensations arise in the body Note the impulse to avoid Gently move past this feeling Welcome the discomfortwithcompassionforitandyourself
Focusonthefeelings Breathe,knowingGodispresentwithyou
Spendseveralminuteshere,seeingwhathappens Noticeifdiscomfortbeginstodissipate HowisGodspeaking toyouthroughthisexperience?
-TylerMathiasen
Enduring Love
Saturday,March7 4
“Butthegreatthingtorememberisthat,thoughourfeelingscomeandgo,[God’s]loveforusdoesnot.”
ThinkbacktoSunday’spractice whatdidyounoticethisweek?Issomethingoldgivingwaytosomethingnew, somethingthatcouldbe?
What story are you telling yourself about this transition? What emotions has your noticing rustled up? How are youmakingmeaningofitall?
Inalloflife’smanyseasons,theoldgiveswaytothenew Wearealwaysgrowing,learning,andbecoming,even as we are grieving, unlearning, and simply being Yet through all the change, planned or unplanned, God’s love remainsthesame
Asyouthinkaboutthechangesinyourownlife,mayyouresteasyinthistruth:God’sloveisthesametodayas itwasyesterdayandwillbetomorrow
-BrookeFoster
Poem to Ponder . . .
Written during Jim Crow, this poem shows the strength and will of its black speaker and his faith in America
I,Too,SingAmerica
byLangstonHughes
I,too,singAmerica Iamthedarkerbrother Theysendmetoeatinthekitchen Whencompanycomes, ButIlaugh, Andeatwell, Andgrownstrong
Tomorrow, I’llbeatthetable Whencompanycomes Nobody’lldare Saytome, “Eatinthekitchen,” Then
Besides, They’llseehowbeautifulIam Andbeashamed
I,too,amAmerica.
Week 3 - Fear Not. . .
All are Beloved
Fear Not. . .All Are Beloved
Sunday,March8
Exodus1:8-14
Fearlovestodivide InExodus,differencebecomesathreattobemanaged TheIsraelitesarenamedas“other,” and fear justifies cruelty, control, and threat When fear goes unchecked, it teaches us to see some lives as expendableforthesakeofsecurity
God’s love tells a radically different story Every person bears dignity Belonging is not a limited resource God’s futuredependsnotondomination,butonsharedlife
Thisstoryinvitesustolookhonestlyatthefearsthatshapehowweseeothers Whatstorieshavebeentoldthat teach us to fear certain others? Where do we feel the urge to protect ourselves by excluding, labeling, or distancing?Fearoftendisguisesitselfaswisdomornecessity.
Butloveinsiststhatourlivesareboundtogether.Noneofusiswholewithouttheother.God’skingdomisnotbuilt onfearofdifference,butontheflourishingthatcomesfrommutualbelonging.
Thisweek,payattentiontothewaysfearinfluencesyoursenseofwhobelongs WheremightGodbeinvitingyou toloosenfear’sgripandpracticeawiderlove?
-Rev.JennySmithWalz
*TodayisaFearKnotday SeetheFearKnotbookletfortoday’smeditation FourthKnot YelloworPinkBead
Fear of “Not Like Me”
Monday,March9
Asawoman,ifIaminacrowdwithmenIdon’tknow,InoticethatIamintheminority I’mnotafraid,butImight be uncomfortable If I am with 10 women I don’t know, it doesn’t occur to me that I’m “in the majority” They are more“likeme”Icaneasilyimaginetheyare“inmytribe”
In contrast, if I am with male friends my mind doesn’t click into “I’m the minority” because I focus on them as individuals
It’sthesamewithpoliticalviews IfIamfriendswithsomeonewhoadmiresthepoliticianthatIdetest,thatclickin doesn’thappen Iknowhimasanindividual
Whatdowedowhenweareoutnumberedbythosewholookdifferentorhavedifferentpoliticalviews?
Listening for the Rest of the Story
Tuesday,March10
Ihear:
“Thesepeoplearedifferentfromusanddon’tbelong Thesepeoplearedangeroustousandourwayoflife Becarefularoundthesepeople Protectyourselffromthesepeopleinordertosafeguardyourvalues Beafraid!”
AndIsay:
“Whyareyouleavingoutthegoodparts? What’stherestoftheirstory? Wehavegifts Whataretheirgifts? Wehavejoys Whataretheirjoys? Wehavedreams Whataretheirdreams? Wehaveworries Whataretheirworries? BeAfraid?Aretheyafraid?”
BeforeIjudgeorreject, Iwilllistenfortherestofthestory.
God,grantus Earstohear, Heartstolove.
-LaVernaAlbury
All of Me is Loved
Wednesday,March11
HowgreatisthelovetheFatherhaslavishedonus,thatweshouldbecalledchildrenofGod. 1John3:1(NIV)
Ruth was an outsider, a Moabite Imagine the fear she carried when encountering the people of Bethlehem She wasconsideredinferiorbecauseshewasdifferent.TherelationshipwithBoazrelievedsomeofthefearandshe knew she was deeply loved by God. Romans 2:11 says, “For God does not show favoritism." (NIV) Today, know thatyouruniquenessislovedunconditionally.Addtotheseaffirmationstoremindyouofthistruth. -Iamlovedandvalued. -Iamenough. -Ichooseloveoverfear.
-DonnaRichardsonRobinson
The Story I’m Telling Myself
Thursday,March12
Weareafflictedineverywaybutnotcrushed,perplexedbutnotdriventodespair,persecutedbutnot forsaken,struckdownbutnotdestroyed ~2Corinthians4:8-9
BreneBrownrecognizesthepowerofstories–includingtheoneswetellourselves.InherbookRisingStrong,she writesabouthowwemakeupstoriestomakesenseofeventsinourlivesForexample,apartnerorfriendsnaps atusonemorning,sowethink,“theydon’tlovemeanymore” Contonnextpage
But the stories we make up are not always true, and they may tell us more about us and our hurts and fears than anything else. Brown suggests that we reframe things with a simple phrase: The story I’m telling myself is… Withthat,ourchosennarrativebecomesonceagainastory,notabsolutetruth.
Whatarethestoriesyoutellyourself?Whatfearsdotheybetray?Whatotherstoriesmightyoutell?
-Rev.AllieRosnerBass
Be Curious
Friday,March13
…youarenolongerforeignersandstrangers,butfellowcitizenswithGod’speople.~Ephesians2:19(NIV)
HowcanIaccessGod’sgracewhenIamuncomfortableaboutbeingwithpeoplewhoaredifferentfromme?Or whohavethe“wrong”politicalviews?
Acknowledge that we really are different, writes Samuel Wells in Facing Fear with Faith “Asserting our identity is central to our being, even though those differences – of age, mobility, intellect, genes, wealth, race, gender, accesstoresources,andsoon--makeconflictwithoneanotheraperpetualandprobabledanger”
Pray that you can rejoice in God’s purpose for making “those people” different from me As Wells reminds us, “Godhadamyriadofdifferentthingshewantedeachoneofustodo”
Becurious Discoversomethingincommon–afavoriteteam?Apastime?Shareaboutyourchildhoodandask abouttheirs
PraytofindawaytoturnthatdiscoveryintoaconstructivewaytoenrichbothofourliveswithGod’sgrace
-BarbaraFox
Unfathomable Love
Saturday,March14
“The basis of the love of God for humankind lies not in human beings but solely in God... The basis on which we as real human beings can live and can love the real human beings around us lies again solely in the incarnationofGod,intheunfathomableloveofGodforhumankind.”
God so loves the world that God created us in God’s image, and came to dwell among us, not in a position of powerandprivilege,butasanimpoverished,displacedmother’sson
Godbecameincarnate Godtookonflesh sothatwemightlearnmoreaboutwhoGodisandwhoweareas God’s followers In Jesus, God became fully human and fully divine, standing in solidarity with human suffering andpointingustowardanewwayoflovingoneanother
God so loves the world, that at all times, in all places, all creation is invited into God’s divinely designed, everunfolding,unfathomablelovestory
Where is God inviting you to see yourself and your neighbors as beloved? If you accepted the invitation, what wouldchangeaboutyourlifeorthelivesofthosearoundyou?
-BrookeFoster 5
Bonhoeffer,Dietrich.IWanttoLiveTheseDayswithYou.WestminsterJohnKnoxPress,2007.https://www.perlego.com/book/2101130. 5
Auden’s poem, written in 1939, deals specifically with the plight of German Jews fleeing Nazi persecution.
RefugeeBlues
byW H Auden
Saythiscityhastenmillionsouls, Somearelivinginmansions,somearelivinginholes: Yetthere'snoplaceforus,mydear,yetthere'snoplaceforus
Oncewehadacountryandwethoughtitfair, Lookintheatlasandyou'llfinditthere: Wecannotgotherenow,mydear,wecannotgotherenow
Inthevillagechurchyardtheregrowsanoldyew, Everyspringitblossomsanew: Oldpassportscan'tdothat,mydear,oldpassportscan'tdothat
Theconsulbangedthetableandsaid, "Ifyou'vegotnopassportyou'reofficiallydead": Butwearestillalive,mydear,butwearestillalive
Wenttoacommittee;theyofferedmeachair; Askedmepolitelytoreturnnextyear: Butwhereshallwegoto-day,mydear,butwhereshallwegoto-day?
Cametoapublicmeeting;thespeakergotupandsaid; "Ifweletthemin,theywillstealourdailybread": Hewastalkingofyouandme,mydear,hewastalkingofyouandme
ThoughtIheardthethunderrumblinginthesky; ItwasHitleroverEurope,saying,"Theymustdie": Owewereinhismind,mydear,Owewereinhismind
Sawapoodleinajacketfastenedwithapin, Sawadooropenedandacatletin: Buttheyweren'tGermanJews,mydear,buttheyweren'tGermanJews
Wentdowntheharbourandstooduponthequay, Sawthefishswimmingasiftheywerefree: Onlytenfeetaway,mydear,onlytenfeetaway
Walkedthroughawood,sawthebirdsinthetrees; Theyhadnopoliticiansandsangattheirease: Theyweren'tthehumanrace,mydear,theyweren'tthehumanrace
DreamedIsawabuildingwithathousandfloors, Athousandwindowsandathousanddoors: Notoneofthemwasours,mydear,notoneofthemwasours
Stoodonagreatplaininthefallingsnow; Tenthousandsoldiersmarchedtoandfro: Lookingforyouandme,mydear,lookingforyouandme
Week 4 - Fear Not. . .
There is Enough
Fear Not. . .There is Enough
Sunday,March15
Exodus16:1-3,9-21,31
In the wilderness, fear sounds practical There isn’t enough food There isn’t enough certainty There isn’t enough totrustthefuture Scarcityfeelslikethereasonablewaytoviewthingswhenresourcesareelusiveandhungeris makingeveryonesurly Lookingafteroneselffirstistherationalresponse
Yet manna refuses to be hoarded It appears each day, just enough for what is needed When people gather morethantheyneed,itspoils Abundance,itturnsout,cannotbesecuredthroughfear-drivengrasping
God’s love does not deny real need, but it challenges the story that we must cling tightly in order to survive Sharingbecomesthepathtoflourishingtogether Trustbecomesthepracticethatsustainslife
This week, notice where scarcity shapes your choices your time, your energy, your generosity Where do you fear there won’t be enough? What might it look like to trust God’s daily provision, just for today, and to let abundancetakeshapethroughsharing?
-Rev JennySmithWalz
*TodayisaFearKnotday.SeetheFearKnotbookletfortoday’smeditation. FifthKnot.GreenBead.
Write Them Down
Monday,March16
ForI,theLordyourGod,holdyourrighthand;itisIwhosaytoyou,“Donotfear,Iwillhelpyou.”~Isaiah41:13
Forsomeofus,fearofnothavingenoughmaymeanlyingawakeatnightwonderingifwe’llbeabletopayrent thismonth–orwhetherwe’lleverbeabletoretire.Othersofusmightwonder:willwehaveenoughsupportfrom thepeoplewhomatter?Willtherebeenoughtimetodoallthethings?
In what ways do you fear not having enough? Before you go to bed tonight, write down the thoughts and fears that will keep echoing in your head as you try to sleep Let them live outside your head for a time You can pick thembackupinthemorningifyouneedto Theywillstillbethere–andGodwillbethere,too
-Rev.AllieRosnerBass
Sparks of Divine Energy
Tuesday,March17
Today, practice connection. Reach out to a neighbor or friend, and listen for the fears about scarcity you share. Notice what keeps you distant from one another as well Imagine a way to share resources, time, care, or presence Takeoneanother’shandtoclaimcourageandabundancetogether “Wheresoulscometogether,divineenergysparks.CourageistakingthehandoftheFriend.”
Scarcity pits us one against one other. It tells us that there isn’t enough, so I must secure what I need before anyone else does. It suggests that my neighbor is my competitor, even my enemy, because we seek the same scarce resources. However, those who benefit from fear of scarcity fear connection most, because as we connect,weshareandchoosetobelongtogether.
-Rev.JennySmithWalz 6
Courage is Another Name for Connection
Wednesday,March18
Perhapscourageisjustanothernameforconnection. Whenwefeelwholeandaliveandunafraid iswhilewearedeeplyconnectedtoGodandtoeachother
Thereinthemingledlightofmanytorches manyheartsafire,uplifted seehowtheshadowsoffearmeltback
Howdoesthisresonatewithyouandyourexperience? Inwhatwaysdoesitstretchandinviteyou?
Take a moment to name ways you are deeply connected to God and to others Note the abundance within theseconnections Givethanks Strengthenoneormoreoftheseconnectionstodaybysharingthispoem Name how their presence in your life has mingled light with yours Let yourself receive the courage that comes from knowingyoudonotcarrythelightalone
-Rev JennySmithWalz 7
Question the Ads
Thursday,March19
Most Americans are exposed to 4,000-10,000 advertisements each day Even when we barely notice them, their messages work on us Nearly all are built on scarcity: you don’t have enough, you aren’t enough, you should be afraidofthelack Buythis Fixthat Protectyourself
Thesestoriesarenotneutral Theyseepintooursubconsciousandshapeourlongingsandfears
Today, practice holy discernment. Notice the fear an ad appeals to. Notice the scarcity it assumes. Ask who benefitsifyoubelievethatstory.
Cont.onnextpage
DatskodeSánchez,Tina.DrinkingPureLight:DailyPoemsofCourage,Compassion,andSurrender.PilgrimPress,2023.“Courage#11.”
Then resist Talk back Name what is already enough Refuse the false story that your worth or security can be purchased Letabundanceinterruptscarcity Letlove,ratherthanfear,shapeyourdesires
-Rev JennySmithWalz
I can. I will.
Friday,March20
Theyallgaveoutoftheirwealth;butshe,outofherpoverty,putineverything-allshehadtoliveon.
~Mark12:44(NIV)
Inadequate housing and food insecurity are fears that many experience Financial contributions and donations to organizations that address these issues is a way that I can help After reading this Scripture, I became uncomfortable with those choices The widow gave everything What would it be like to actually serve the meal, to give of my time to listen, to deliver a meal? Consider how you can share what you have with someone who hasless
-DonnaRichardsonRobinson
Openhanded Love
Saturday,March21
“...salvation is not something that happens only at the end of a person’s life. Salvation happens every time someonewithakeyusesittoopenadoorhecouldlockinstead.”
Takeamomenttoaskyourselfthefollowingquestionsandnoticeyouranswers
1.Howdidyouspendyourtimethisweek?
2.WheredidyouseeGod?
3.Wheredidyoupracticeseeingothers?
These three simple questions can reveal a lot about how we think about God, ourselves, and others, and, in the process,helpusbetterunderstandourprioritiesandfears.
The unjust system of the world gives us one set of priorities wealth, power, independence but the Kindom of Godgivesusanother mutuality,mercy,compassion
There are opportunities all around us to embody these Kindom priorities by lavishly sharing God’s love Identify onewayyouwillunsparinglyshowerloveandgraceonyourneighborsinthecomingweek
-BrookeFoster 8
Poem to Ponder . . .
Beforewecan“knowkindness,”Nyebelieveswemustseebeyondourselves,andunderstandsorrow totrulygrasptheconceptofkindness-empathy
Kindness
byNaomiShihabNye
Beforeyouknowwhatkindnessreallyis youmustlosethings, feelthefuturedissolveinamoment likesaltinaweakenedbroth
Whatyouheldinyourhand, whatyoucountedandcarefullysaved, allthismustgosoyouknow howdesolatethelandscapecanbe betweentheregionsofkindness
Howyourideandride thinkingthebuswillneverstop, thepassengerseatingmaizeandchicken willstareoutthewindowforever
Beforeyoulearnthetendergravityofkindness youmusttravelwheretheIndianinawhiteponcho liesdeadbythesideoftheroad
Youmustseehowthiscouldbeyou, howhetoowassomeone whojourneyedthroughthenightwithplans andthesimplebreaththatkepthimalive.
Beforeyouknowkindnessasthedeepestthing inside, youmustknowsorrowastheotherdeepestthing
Youmustwakeupwithsorrow
Youmustspeaktoittillyourvoice catchesthethreadofallsorrows andyouseethesizeofthecloth
Thenitisonlykindnessthatmakessenseanymore, onlykindnessthattiesyourshoes andsendsyououtintothedaytogazeatbread, onlykindnessthatraisesitshead fromthecrowdoftheworldtosay
ItisIyouhavebeenlookingfor, andthengoeswithyoueverywhere likeashadoworafriend
Week 5 - Fear Not. . .
Be Awed
Fear Not. . .Be Awed
Sunday,March22
Exodus19-20
Thunder, smoke, trembling ground the presence of God is overwhelming The people step back, afraid that closenesswillbringjudgmentordestruction FeartellsthemthatGod’spowermustbekeptatadistance
But Moses moves closer Awe, not terror, becomes the invitation God’s voice does not seek to obliterate the people, but to draw them into freedom and trust Reverence opens space for relationship Honor and praise openspaceforformationasGod’speople
SomuchofourfearofGodisrootedinourfearofnotbeingenough,notbeinggoodenough.Somuchofwhat we call fear of God is actually fear of being undone, changed, or called into deeper life. Awe disrupts control. It reminds us that we are not called to be perfectionists. It reminds us that we are enough, because God is enough.Itremindsusthatwearenotthecenterofallthings.Andalloftheseremindersaregrace.
This week, notice where fear has flattened your image of God Where has reverence turned into avoidance? WhatmightitmeantoletaweexpandyoursenseofwhoGodis,andwhoyoumightbecomeinresponse?
-Rev.JennySmithWalz
*TodayisaFearKnotday SeetheFearKnotbookletfortoday’smeditation SixthKnot BlueBead
Awe? Or Avoidance?
Monday,March23
To fear God was useful for the Israelites God’s laws helped them to live peaceably in community To be in awe ofGod’slawswasandisusefulforme,informingmycharacter
However, to be awestruck is not useful when it keeps me from having an honest relationship with God If I am awestruck,howcanIconfessmysins?HowcanmyCreatorbemycherishedfriend?
Anexample:Ihadoccasiontospeakwithafamousmoviestar.DidIgoupandhaveafriendlychat?No!Iwas awestruck.Ididn’twanttolooklikeasycophant.Iassumedhedidn’twanttotalktomeandavoidedhim.Withso muchfalsehumility,Ididn’tgivehimachancetobefriendly.
IcanbeinaweofmyCreatorand,atthesametime,trustthatIamGod’sbeloved -BarbaraFox
Pushes and Pulls of God-Fearing
Tuesday,March24
FearoftheLordiswherewisdombegins;sureknowledgeisforallwhokeepGod’slaws. God’spraiselastsforever! Psalm111:10
“Fear of God” can mean many things It can come from different sources, serve different purposes, and lead to verydifferentoutcomes.Today,reflectonthesenuanceswithaspiritualfriend,practicingholylisteningtogether.
If weather and time permit, consider reflecting in nature, letting awe of the world around you color the time. You could even be in different places, connected by phone. If that’s not possible, share images that inspire awe: Webbtelescopeimages,close-updetailsofcreation,etc.
As you listen to one another, explore what “fear of the Lord” might mean Why does scripture contain so much aboutit?Howare“fearoftheLord”andwisdomconnected?HowdoesJesus’srelationshipwithGodhelpshape ourunderstandinghere?
-Rev.JennySmithWalz
God’s Love and Strength
Wednesday,March25
Whatistheantidotetofear?
MyintellectthinksIamnot goodenough,strongenough,braveenough.
Buttruecouragedoesnotcomefromme. CourageisGod’sstrengthflowingthroughme, God’sloveholdingmeup.
Howdoesthisresonatewithyouandyourexperience? Inwhatwaysdoesitstretchandinviteyou?
Allow these words to become prayer for you. Let yourself be awed by the promise that God’s love and strength are already flowing through you, holding you up. Today, rest in that truth. And if you sense someone else needs thisreminder,shareitwiththem
-Rev.JennySmithWalz 9 1
Lightning Strikes and Other “Acts of God”
Thursday,March26
FearofGod’sjudgmentandpunishmenthasawayofseepingintoourmindsandhearts Itshowsupinfamiliar phraseswe’veheardorspoken: God’sgoingtostrikemedownforthat We’reallgoingtohellinahandbasket
TheroofmightcaveinifIstepintoachurch I’llpayforthatsomeday
I’mgoingtoputthefearofGodintoyou
Even when we don’t actually believe these things literally, fear can linger The possibility whispers in the background:“WhatifGodislikethis?”
Today, examine these lingering fears about God’s judgment Notice where they came from and whose voices theyecho Considerwhatitmightmeantoquestionthesefearstoriesmoredeeply Whocouldhelpyoulookat themwithhonestyandgrace,andopenyoutoadeepersenseofaweandtrust?
-Rev JennySmithWalz
How Great Thou Art
Friday,March27
OLordmyGod,whenIinawesomewonder Consideralltheworldsthyhandshathmade Thensingsmysoul,mySaviorGod,tothee, Howgreatthouart!
InmysenioryearofcollegeIvisitedtheSinaiPeninsula IclearlyrememberthetrektothetopofMountSinai:the high red rocks, the blue sky At one point, briefly separated from my group, I began to sing out loud “How Great ThouArt”Sometimesaweovertakesus
But awe can also be cultivated We can go outside at night and contemplate the depths of space We can meditate on all the subatomic particles that make up the universe or all the different languages people speak aroundtheworld.Andthen,wecanturnourthoughtstotheonewhoisthecreatorofthemall,biggerthanitall, andwhostillsolovesthisworld.
-Rev AllieRosnerBass
Liberating Love
Saturday,March28
“Wonder requires a person not to forget themselves but to feel themselves so acutely that their connectednesstoeverycreatedthingcomesintofocus.Insacredawe,wearepartofthestory.”
What if allowing ourselves to be fully known by others could help us feel closer to God? What if it could help us feelclosertoourselves,tothetruthofwhoweareinourinnermostbeing?
Today, reconnect with God’s story. Go outside, look out a window, or just imagine the sensations of your favorite spot in nature. Practice releasing any stress you ’ re carrying and try to be present. What do you see? Smell? Hear?Feel?
The very same God who created towering trees, flowing rivers, and all the natural marvels of our world also createdyou Youareanintegralpartofcreation Youareintimatelyentwinedinthestory
Mayyouletyourselfwonderinaweofitall
Poem to Ponder . . .
In this poem, Donne, a cleric in the Anglican Church, speaks of his - and man ’ ssinful nature, fearing if God will continue to forgive his capacity for sin. In Jesus, Donnefindstheanswer.
AHymntoGodtheFather
byJohnDonne
WiltthouforgivethatsinwhereIbegun, Whichwasmysin,thoughitweredonebefore?
Wiltthouforgivethatsin,throughwhichIrun, Anddorunstill,thoughstillIdodeplore? Whenthouhastdone,thouhastnotdone, ForIhavemore
WiltthouforgivethatsinwhichIhavewon Otherstosin,andmademysintheirdoor?
WiltthouforgivethatsinwhichIdidshun Ayearortwo,butwallow'din,ascore? Whenthouhastdone,thouhastnotdone, ForIhavemore.
Ihaveasinoffear,thatwhenIhavespun Mylastthread,Ishallperishontheshore; Butswearbythyself,thatatmydeaththySon Shallshineasheshinesnow,andheretofore; And,havingdonethat,thouhastdone; Ifearnomore.
Week 6 - Fear Not. . .
Love Goes with Us
Fear Not. . .Love Goes with Us
PalmSunday,March29
Matthew21:1-11;John18:1-12
As Jesus enters Jerusalem, hope and danger walk side by side Soon after, in the garden, fear tightens its grip and violence erupts The story we know too well says that suffering means abandonment, that love withdraws whenthecostbecomestoohigh
But Jesus does not turn away from his fear Nor does he ignore the fear of the disciples or the soldiers This is possible because Jesus trusts that God’s love is steadfast He does not abandon his followers, nor does God abandon Jesus Love walks the road all the way through into confusion, betrayal, and loss Even when others flee,loveremainspresent
Palm Sunday holds this tension honestly The cheers fade The road grows hard Yet love does not abandon the journey Goddoesnotstepbackwhenthepathleadstowardsuffering
This week, consider where fear tells you that you must walk alone Where does love feel risky or costly? What woulditmeantotrustthat,whateverliesahead,lovegoeswithyou stepbystep,allthewaythrough?
-Rev JennySmithWalz
*TodayisaFearKnotday SeetheFearKnotbookletfortoday’smeditation SeventhKnot PurpleBead
Fear Discloses Love
Monday,March30 11 Wells,Samuel
“The quickest way to discover what or whom someone loves is to find out what they are afraid of. We fear becausewedon’twanttolosewhatwelove.”
This insight feels especially true in the face of suffering and death As we name our fears this week, we are invitedtonoticewhatJesusdoeswithfear.SamWellsdescribesfourmovementsthroughwhichJesusjourneys withus.(seeMatthew17:1-8):
JesusCOMEStousinourfear
JesusTOUCHESuswhenweareafraid
JesusRAISESustoourfeet
JesusEMPOWERSustofacewhatneedstobefaced
Takeafewmomentstonameafearyoucarryaboutsufferingordeath.Withcompassionforyourself,letitshow youwhatyoulove,whomyoufearlosing,andwhythatlovematterssodeeply
ThenbringthisfeartoJesus AllowJesustocome,totouch,toraise,andtoempoweryou Moveslowly Youmay returntothisprayermorethanonce
-Rev.JennySmithWalz
Being Known, Being Loved
Tuesday,March31
“Buildingacommunityoftrustisthemosteffectivewaytoaddressfears”
Evenaswelongtobeknownandtotrulyknowothers,weoftencreatedistance Fearplaysaroleinthis,asdoes our tendency to assign roles to one another, sure they wouldn’t or couldn’t help When vulnerability increases, through grief, illness, or struggle, we tend to pull back even more Ironically, this often happens at the very momentsweneedconnectionmost
Reflectonthisparadoxwithaspiritualfriend,practicingholylisteningtogether.Noticeanytendencyyouhaveto withdraw from others when life feels challenging. Explore what fear may be protecting, and also what it may be preventing. Imagine together what it could be to let more love in during difficult times. What helps trust grow? Howmightbeingknown,evenimperfectly,beahelpfulpathwaythroughfear?
-Rev.JennySmithWalz
Love is Another name for God
Wednesday,April1
“GodisnothurriedalongintheTime-streamofthisuniverseanymorethananauthorishurriedalonginthe imaginary time of his own novel. He has infinite attention to spare for each one of us. He does not have to dealwithusinthemass.YouareasmuchalonewithHimasifyouweretheonlybeingHehadevercreated. WhenChristdied,Hediedforyouindividuallyjustasmuchasifyouhadbeentheonly[person]intheworld.”
IfGodisindeedallpowerfulandalmighty,fullyselfsustaining,Goddoesnotneednorwantanythingoranyone, since God cannot lack anything. However, if God is love as the Scripture professes, the loving relationship that God can form with each individual including you and me might be the one thing that is most cherished by God intheentireuniverseandbeyond.
RememberthatyouhavesomethingthatthemostpowerfulGod,whodoesnotneedanything,wantsandseeks themost,outofeverythingmadeintobeing:yourlove,thelovethatGodcancherishwithyouandthroughyou
Fear Not. . .Love is the Way
MaundyThursday,April2
John13:1-7,31b-35
On the night before everything begins to unravel, Jesus kneels He takes a towel and washes dusty feet an act so ordinary and so vulnerable that it unsettles those watching. Fear tells us that power rules the world, that survival depends on control, strength, and distance. Love, by contrast, looks risky. It exposes us to loss, betrayal, andpain.
Yet Jesus chooses love anyway Not as sentiment, but as a way of life He serves not because he is unaware of whatliesahead,butbecauseheknowsexactlywhoheisandwhoseheis.Inthismoment,loveisnotweak.Itis deliberate.Itisstrongenoughtokneelandtogetmessy.
MaundyThursdayinvitesustonoticehowfearshapesourunderstandingofpower.Wherehasfeartaughtusto withholdcareorcompassion?WhatsmallactofhumblelovemightChristbeinvitingyouintotoday?
-Rev.JennySmithWalz
*TodayisaFe
EighthKnot Lig
Love is
GoodFrida
Luke23:44-4
Darkness fall us that pain,loss,an lyfails Good Friday ation or escape Even ged by whattheysee
This is not a bandon thesuffering
Asyouholdt tloveis present,even
-Rev.J
*TodayisaFe NinthKnot Bla
Unwavering Love
HolySaturday,April4
John19:38-42
In the wake of the crucifixion, Jesus’s followers mourn They perform the rituals of death bathing his body in spices,wrappinghimincleancloth,andclosingthetomb Theywaitandwatch
There are no empty platitudes, no turns toward celebration. There is no rushing past the terror of what they’ve witnessed.Theywaitandwatch.
Evenastheirworldseemstocrumble,theytendtoJesus EveninthedarknessofHolySaturday,theyliveintothe transformative love he’s shown them Even in the face of all the unknown, they do not waver They wait and watch
Findingtimetowaitandwatchcanbechallenging Forsomeofus,eventhethoughtofwaitingandwatchingis uncomfortable And yet, this is part of our story We, too, are called to the stillness of Holy Saturday Even if, especiallyif,itfeelsuncomfortableandunsettling
WhereisthetransformativeloveofGodinJesusdisruptingyournormal?Wheremightsomethingnewbetaking root?Whereandwithwhomareyougoingtowaitandwatch?
-BrookeFoster
Poem to Ponder . . .
Keats wrote this poem while taking care of his brother Tom, who was dying of tuberculosis In it he thinks about dying young and not realizing potential or true love (Keats,himself,diedfromTBat25)
WhenIHaveFearsThatIMay CeasetoBe
byJohnKeats
WhenIhavefearsthatImayceasetobe Beforemypenhasgleanedmyteemingbrain, Beforehigh-pilèdbooks,incharactery, Holdlikerichgarnersthefullripenedgrain; WhenIbehold,uponthenight’sstarredface, Hugecloudysymbolsofahighromance, AndthinkthatImayneverlivetotrace Theirshadowswiththemagichandofchance; AndwhenIfeel,faircreatureofanhour, ThatIshallneverlookupontheemore, Neverhaverelishinthefaerypower Ofunreflectinglove thenontheshore OfthewideworldIstandalone,andthink Tillloveandfametonothingnessdosink.
hile it is still dark Fear has taught her what to expect: that death is final, that changes But the stone is moved The grave is empty And then, Jesus speaks
itinterruptsdespair Lovedoesnotdenywhathasbeenlost;itopensafuture sus ’ s rising, something begins anew This new life is not only for him, but for all heartsagainstdisappointmentorboundupinfear
hetrueststory Newlifeisalreadybreakingopen,oftenquietly,oftenbeforewe n is not striving our way out of darkness, but being lifted, again and again, by
wday,noticewherefearhastoldyoutoexpecttheworst.Noticetoothatthere ur lives and our hearts: the story of God’s unending love, that has power over w life already be stirring? What would it mean to rise not once, but daily ongus?
arKnotbookletfortoday’smeditation.
