4th Sunday of Lent

Our readings for the 4th Sunday in Lent are:

1. 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a
2. Psalms 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
3. Ephesians 5: 8-14
4. John 9: 1-41

• Chosen
• Our culture tells us that if we work hard, show initiative and skill at what we do, that we will inevitably succeed, indeed that we will be entitled to succeed.
• Have you ever thought to ask God why it is that He chose you for some of the things that He has led you into?
• What sort of response did you get from that line of questioning?
• What sorts of things do you think God is looking for in you to make you better at your current ministries?

• Want versus need
• Advertising in our culture has become a sophisticated game of leading us around by the nose of our own avarice (I'm not bitter, mind you, just a little jaded).  We're told that we deserve a great deal in this life, essentials like flawless skin, the perfect firmness in our mattress, a 20-minute workout that will make unwanted pounds melt away like butter and the list goes on.
• What do you think God wants for us?
• How important is it that our list of wants and God's list of wants line up with each other?
• What can we do to make that happen?

• Expose
• The press, at their best, help us to hold ourselves accountable.
• But are they the only ones?
• What good does it do to call evil-doers out?
• Just who is it that we are supposed to alert?
• Does it do any good?
• Does it matter whether it does any good?

• I see, and it hurts
• These three great stories: The Woman at the Well, The Man Born Blind, and The Raising of Lazarus all share a long dialog between Jesus and those around Him.
• Why do you think this sort of conversion experience takes so long?
• In your daily life, do you find yourself in the role of the blind man's parents, his neighbors, the Pharisees, the blind man himself?
• Which role would you most like to fill?
• What's stopping you?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Am I willing to let God choose me for whatever He has in mind?
2. How willing am I to trust God to provide my every need?
3. Am I willing to be prophetic wherever God plants me?
4. Am I as patient with myself as God is?

Tell it again

"Hey Joshua, tell me that story about how you got your sight back.  Jacob wants to hear it.
I'll treat the two of you to a drink while you remember that day."

"Well, there I was, minding my own business, my begging bowl already loading up nicely,
And all of a sudden, there's this commotion all around me.  They told me Jesus had come by.

At first, I figured this would be great.  Jesus draws a crowd, inspires everyone to be generous,
There I am, an obvious target of said generosity, ready to help them scratch that itch.

Instead, Jesus comes over to me and heals me.  All I had to do was make my way over to the pool,
Wash, and voila, I'm good as gold!"

"What's it been like since then?" Jacob asked.

"Lots of changes since then my friend.  I picked up blacksmith as a trade, opened a shop
Work long hours, and finally get to pay taxes on all of that income.  What a treat that is.

All because I was willing to take a chance that day, go to the pool, and wash.
It boggles my mind how differently things might have turned out if I had been afraid to go."

"And now?"

"Now, I know that Jesus is there with me, no matter how strange or unexpected life gets.
I know that He's given me what I need for whatever lies just over the horizon.

I know that, in spite of the unknown, I have nothing to fear."

"And tomorrow?"

"Who knows?  Maybe I'll do something really crazy and run for office!  It's all in where I'm led."

Shalom!