Sunday’s Coming, March 1

Dear HBIC Family,

This Lent, I’ve found myself thinking a lot about my friend Tim. We were high school teammates. I followed him as captain of the wrestling team. Then, we both ended up choosing Messiah College for our studies. From there, our paths diverged a bit – different majors and studies, different interests, and different groups of friends. However, we’d always circle back to check in and keep up with one another.

Over the years, I grew to really admire Tim from afar. I was impressed that our conversations about following Jesus and serving God through ministry led him to seminary, a conversion to the Orthodox Church, a scholarly dive into the desert fathers of the early church, and a life fully surrendered to God. In a season when I was struggling to find out God’s will for my life, his example was a gift to me – a gift that inspired me to follow God to a life and ministry here in Harrisburg.

I had never really thought deeply about the desert fathers before Tim. I knew they existed. I was intrigued, though, by people who gave up everything for a simpler life – suffering in the wilderness and surrendered fully to God. Tim taught me that the desert is not just a season of life. The desert is not simply where we feel the dryness and are away from comfort. The desert is not simply a place where escape is always our only real thought. What I learned from Tim and his studies is that the desert can be a challenge, but also a choice. There we are apart but not alone, and there we find community in communion with God.

I probably could have just learned this all from Jesus. But sometimes, God uses the people in our lives to teach us the things of God. Tim opening these ancient texts and stories was really used by God to open my eyes and my life to meeting God in the desert.

This week, we will be continuing our Lent: Following Jesus on the Way sermon series. In so doing, we are looking to Jesus not only for our salvation, but for surrender and sacrifice as well. On the way to the cross, the Spirit guarded Jesus’ heart and mind; the Spirit does the same for us now. In the desert place, the Spirit was Jesus’ guide; we depend on the Spirit to lead us today as well.

As you prepare for our time in worship together this week, I would like to invite you to read and meditate on Mark 1:9-13. As you reflect, I would like you to focus on the following questions:

What is one way you are being obedient to God in this season of life?

When was the last time you felt seen by God?

When did you last hear God’s voice? What did you hear?

What does surrendering the Holy Spirit look like for you right now?

How is God sustaining you in this season?

Tim passed away in the fall of 2018. I still remember that September day. The Orthodox remind us that those who have gone have reposed – that is they have fallen into peaceful sleep and rest. At his funeral, we gathered in the middle of the sanctuary and sang his spirit up into heaven. For his burial, I found healing in the simply act of shoveling his grave. All these years later, I am grateful for his life, his friendship, and his example.

As we go with Jesus into the wilderness this week, we do so reminding ourselves that our Lord willingly chose to go to the desert place. He surrendered to the Spirit. He was tested and tempted. And yet, he was never alone – the Spirit was with him, and God sent angels to attend to him. I pray that if you find yourself in a desert place this week, you know that the Spirit is with you, that God is caring for and carrying you, and that your surrender will bear much fruit. And if you’re praying, say an extra prayer for one person who has inspired you with their faithful witness.

May the Lord continue to bless and keep you all.

Love in Christ,

Pastor Hank (Mark 1:12-13)