Day Nineteen : 15th December

Isaiah 54

For a brief moment I abandoned you,
but with great compassion I will gather you.

8 In overflowing wrath for a moment I hid my face from you,
but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer.

9 This is like the days of Noah to me;
Just as I swore that the waters of Noah would never again go over the earth,
so have I sworn that I will not be angry with you and will not rebuke you.

10 For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,
says the Lord, who has compassion on you. from: Rob's sermon of 7 March 2004, (the second Sunday in Lent)

"Like the transfiguration story,

Bright and hopeful reassurance of faith followed by a difficult journey which leads into a more glorious existence.

We are on that journey!

Look to the bright spots

Don't be afraid when we are out of our comfort zone and in the wilderness.

Because we are reassured of better things, for, as St Paul says: "Our citizenship is in heaven."

As we journey the world around us seems sometimes beautiful / sometimes hostile.
We are inspired by the beauty

We are not comfortable with the hostility

But we are NOT called to be hostile in return.

Rather, we draw strength by remembering and celebrating the beautiful, — the bright spots!

And look towards the brightness and joy at the end of the journey.

The journey through Lent challenges us to get out into the wilderness; out of our comfort zones and discover God's light in unusual places."