Lent - Keep it simple

Which Way Now?

It is not easy to distinguish between doing what we are called to do and doing what we want to do. Our many wants can easily distract us from our true action.True action leads us to the fulfilment of our vocation. Whether we work in an office, travel the world, write books or make films, care for the poor, offer leadership, or fulfil unspectacular tasks, the question is not ”What do I most Want?” but ”What is my vocation?” The most prestigious position in society can be an expression of obedience to our call as well as a sign of our refusal to hear that call, and the least prestigious position, too, can be a response to our vocation as well as a way to avoid it.

Doesn’t our Methodist Covenant Prayer say, “Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will; put me to doing, put me to suffering; let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you, exalted for you, or brought low for you; let me be full, let me be empty, let me have all things, let me have nothing...”

Henri J M Nouwen in his book, “Can you drink the cup?” referring to Jesus prayer in Gethsemane wrote, “Action, just as silence and the word, can help us to claim and celebrate our true self. But here again we need discipline, because the world in which we live says, ”Do this, do that, go here, go there, meet him, meet her.” Busyness has become a sign of importance. Having much to do, many places to go, and countless people to meet gives us status and even fame. However, being busy can lead us away from our true vocation and prevent us from drinking our cup.”

Prayer

God, companion and guide, we would be lost without your direction—wanderers in  wildernesses of our own making. We praise you for dealing so graciously with your people in the past, when you guided them to freedom and a promised new life.  We are heirs of that promise fulfilled in Jesus, our Redeemer and Lord.  Through him, you have established for us a permanent direction for our lives and as we dwell in him, our lives are blessed with fruitfulness.  

Holy God we come before you today in  joyful response of praise and thanksgiving for all that you have done, for all that you are doing, and for all that you will continue to do for us and all people through the power of the Holy Spirit

and in the name of Jesus.  Amen.