It seems like there is such a short time between Christmas and Lent. Before we have the last of the decorations put away we are putting out the purple altar cloths and thinking somber thoughts. Somber however does not mean sad. In the early church Lent was the time new believers prepared for their Baptism. In contrast to the way many people think of lent this time of preparation has a level of very positive excitement underneath the surface. This is because Baptism is our entry into a new life in Christ and that is great news.

Where we get confused is differentiating between the price of entry and the cost of participating. As Paul Says; by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God-- not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. (Ephesians 2:8-10) God’s gift of Grace, our new life in Christ which we begin at baptism is indeed free with no strings attached. This indeed is a sign not only of God’s great love for the world but a precious indication of God’s personal love for each one of us as individuals. This is a keystone for our Lenten thoughts, we are beloved by God. This unfailing love is the solid rock upon which we stand, a starting place where we can begin our new life in Christ without any fear at all.

The gift of grace and salvation is free. If we choose to follow the calling of our savior then Jesus makes it clear that there is indeed a cost. At that point we need to truly consider what it means to be Jesus’ disciple. This is the Lenten journey of the early church, considering the cost of discipleship. Jesus tells us whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' (Luke 14:27-30)

This is pretty somber but it is not at all sad. Who among us would not be overjoyed to be chosen by God! There is a real gift in this, because we become a people of god who are chosen to share God’s life and God’s future. Knowing what and how we are to accomplish our calling is first of all a matter of preparation.

We need to study the Bible, pray, worship and fellowship together so we know each other and Jesus who calls us. Then we need to plan so that we work together sharing a common faith and a common goal following the leading of Christ.

During Lent this year at Resurrection Lutheran Church we need to look ahead. We have an exciting future before us. After deciding to add classroom space we need to carefully count the cost and assess the need. Where do we want our church to be in five years? What kind of ministries would we like to engage in? What kind of space would that take? We have a great opportunity to ask ourselves these questions during this Lenten season. We need long range plan that sets our footsteps in the path of discipleship and service. We also need to have a small group that will look at our need for space and see how best we can plan to have the space that will meet the needs of our of congregation and the Child Development center. If any of us have ideas please share them. We will be forming a long range planning group as well as doing an assessment of our space need so our shared ministry in Christ can continue to flourish.

There is a cost to true discipleship but the rewards are far greater than the cost. It is only when having counted the cross and taken up our cross to follow Jesus that we can truly know the true gift of new life in Christ, for it is only then that we will have left our old life behind and started our true life as a Child of God.

Pastor Jim Bliss
February 2009