Returning To Our First Love: The Journey of Lent
Pastoral Message for Lent
Dear Church Family,
The Theme of Lent: Returning to Our First Love
As I mentioned on the first Sunday of Lent, our theme this year centers on “Returning To Our First Love,” inspired by Revelation 2:1-5. With this in mind, I wanted to share some further thoughts in this month’s “Messenger”, focusing on the scriptural text from Acts 15:28: “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things.”
An Illustration from the Farm
Let me begin with a story to illustrate this journey. Many years ago, I was out on the farm, observing the corn I had planted. The seedlings, about two inches high, were growing well under the early spring sun. But when I arrived at the field, I found turkeys everywhere, plucking the seedlings from each row and destroying the crop. Frustrated, I tried to chase them away by honking the horn and hollering, but the turkeys were relentless and only moved deeper into the field.
Suddenly, from the west, the sky darkened, signaling an approaching storm. Thunder crashed and lightning struck, scaring the turkeys away completely. I was relieved, thinking God had intervened to protect the crop. However, after the storm brought rain, cold air rushed in, and hail began to fall—so fierce that it destroyed the entire corn crop, flattening and shredding it in moments. The experience was discouraging and left me helpless, reminding me that what initially seemed like a positive solution sometimes brings its own challenges.
Seeking God’s Direction: The Importance of “Neutrality”
Reflecting on this event while reading Acts, I realized that, like the disciples, we must remain neutral—not mistaking our preferences for God’s provisions. Often, we celebrate when a storm solves our immediate problem, but if we are not neutral, we may miss what the Holy Spirit is actually doing. As Christians, the challenge is to avoid following our own agenda, seeking God’s approval for our plans instead of direction for our lives. “Neutrality” in this context is not neglect or slackness; it is a spiritual discipline of emptying ourselves of personal ambition, cultural bias, and stubborn opinions to hear the Holy Spirit clearly.
The Early Church: Learning to Align with the Spirit
The early church faced a crisis regarding whether Gentiles should follow Jewish law. The apostles gathered, prayed, and debated, setting aside personal preferences and traditional biases. Their conclusion was not based on their own plans but guided by the Spirit. Through prayer and fasting, their decisions aligned with the Holy Spirit, reducing unnecessary burdens and focusing on grace.
When we are too attached to our own way, we cannot hear the Holy Spirit. Reaching a state of neutral, prayerful, sometimes repentant, submission is essential before making significant decisions. On the first Sunday of Lent, I shared that returning to our first love for Christ means aligning ourselves with God, making ourselves available for His direction. Adding the aspect of neutrality helps us see that alignment more clearly.
The Journey Through Lent: Embracing God’s Will
It can be frustrating to seek God’s will, especially during personal crises or leadership responsibilities, when answers are not immediate. We often feel pressured to act according to our own plans. However, we must learn from the early Christians in Acts, who aligned their plans with God’s Will. As Acts 15:28 says, “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these necessary things,” there is harmony in working with God through the Holy Spirit, bringing peace and unity that can come no other way.
As we journey through Lent together, let us consider how to be more “neutral” in our thinking. Let us seek Gods Will for our lives, both in important decisions and in seeking direction for His Church. I hope these reflections are helpful as we share this season together.
In Christ’s love, Pastor John
V V V V V V V V V V V V
Spring Renewal
By reading the Scriptures I am so renewed that all nature seems renewed around me and with me. The sky seems to be a pure, a cooler blue, the trees a deeper green. The whole world is charged with the glory of God and I feel fire and music under my feet. —Thomas Merton
V V V V V V V V V V V V
“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.” —Corrie ten Boom
V V V V V V V V V V V V
Fully Rely On God
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Bible Study Wednesday Evenings – 6pm in the Community Building
Choir Practice – Thursday’s at 1pm
You may reach Pastor John at #607-651-4760 or at his.ship@gmail.com
Tuesday, February 24th – Newsletter Deadline
Tuesday, March 3rd - Session Meeting – 6pm Friday, March 6th – World Day of Prayer Sunday, March 8th – Daylight Savings Time Begins Sunday, March 8th – Barnes Kasson Service – 3pmStarting Monday, March 9, 2026, a ladies exercise class will begin. 10am to 11am. If interested, please see Shirley Smith. Thursday, March 12th – Presbyterian Women Meeting – 11am Tuesday, March 17th – Happy St Patrick's Day Friday, March 20th – First Day of Spring Sunday, March 29th – Palm Sunday Sunday March 29th to Sunday April 5th – Holy Week Tuesday, March 31st – Ladies Easter Tea – Montrose Bible Conference – 11am to 1pm Sunday, April 5th – Happy Easter! Happy Resurrection Day!
E-Mail Carolyn White with any praises, joys, or prayer requests (whisperpines@frontiernet.net) throughout the week.