Being Prepared

Once upon a time, a young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications, the young man said: "I can sleep when the wind blows." This response puzzled the farmer, but he liked the young man, so he hired him anyway. A few days later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the middle of the night by a violent storm. They quickly began to check things out to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the farmhouse had been securely fastened. A good supply of logs had been set next to the fireplace. And, the young man slept soundly. The farmer and his wife then inspected their property. They found that the farm tools had been placed in the storage shed, safe from the elements. The tractor had been moved into the garage. The barn was properly locked. Even the animals were calm. All was well. The farmer then understood the meaning of the young man's words: "I can sleep when the wind blows." Because the farmhand did his work loyally and faithfully when the skies were clear, he was prepared for the storm when it broke. So, when the wind blew, he was not afraid. He could sleep in peace.  (Author Unknown)

The season of Lent is such a time of preparation, preparing for the culmination of the Christ event in the church and in our lives once again. We are part of a tradition that firmly believes that God accepts us just as we are, unconditionally, with a deep and abiding love. We also believe, however, that God is challenging us to become the people God has created us to be – a loving people of open hearts, open minds and open doors who strive to live a life of personal spirituality and social responsibility. The story of Christ dramatically portrays both of these paradoxical, yet fundamental truths, especially as we reflect on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. During this Lenten season, we will look closely at the final moments of Jesus’ life by reading together Adam Hamilton’s book, 24 Hours That Changed the World.Beginning February 26, in worship and small group discussions, we will consider the following seven events: The Last Supper – The Garden of Gethsemane – Condemned by the Righteous – Jesus, Barabbas, and Pilate – The Torture and Humiliation of the King – The Crucifixion – and, Christ the Victor. The better we understand the grace-filled story of Jesus, the better we understand how we become the person God challenges us to be. The more we strive to be the people of God, the better prepared we are for those days when the winds overwhelm us and the storm comes crashing into our lives. So, when the wind blows, we are not afraid; when the storm breaks, we sleep in peace.

Rev. Greg Bergquist