Lent: A Yearly Reminder of the Daily Call to Come Home is a series of seven writings that incorporate guided imagery, prayer, and questions to use in worship or in your small group.

Imagine

God's heart is infinitely better than we could ever imagine. Therefore, where our journey is heading is infinitely better than what we could ever imagine.

Close your eyes and bring to your mind's eye the place where your hope and journey has ended. Notice the surroundings and what you are doing. Think back to the beginning of your journey until now and remember how Jesus was with you...in your place of stopping, in the desert & wilderness, when others affirmed you and when others betrayed you. Now you can no longer see the One who journeyed with you. What does this stir in you?

Now become aware of someone approaching you, meeting you in this place. He says something to you that first brings a look of confusion then joy spreads over your face! What did He say? What stirs in you now?

Allow the scene to unfold for a few moments and then close with this prayer.

Pray

God, there are times that we cannot help but feel abandoned by You. It seems You have left us, turned Your back, no longer care about our pain or else You're powerless. And yet, just as Mary Magdalene discovered when she went to Your tomb on that dark third day, the very place where dead hope lies, there You are!

Oh how we need this story of Jesus being raised from the dead, of hope returning! We need to be reminded that death is not the end of our story, whether it is someone we dearly love or a dream we have dearly held onto. We can trust that You will meet us in the very place of our pain and somehow, someday we will experience the joy of resurrection.

We pause in silence now to allow You to meet us in the place of our pain and speak tender life-giving, perhaps even powerful life-raising, words to us.

(20 seconds or ~ of silence)

Amen.

Reflect

• Let a symbol of resurrection speak to you today, whether from the Biblical story or from the created world. You might draw, paint, or sculpt this image. How might it become a prayerful reminder of hope for you and others?
• “We are witnesses of everything he did...” said Peter in Acts 10:39. As an individual or with a group, recount what you have witnessed God doing in your life, and in the life of your group/church/community/world.
• Sufferings and celebrations, death and resurrection, are part of everyone's journey with and toward the heart of God but not all recognize God in the midst of it. Peter and the disciples recognized the risen Jesus in eating and drinking with him, how have you recognized God's presence along your journey? How might you honor the Heart of Love that tenderly and powerfully holds every part of the journey, from beginning to end?

The complete series and audio are available here.