You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

It was last summer when Pastor Stanton suggested the book Sabbath As Resistance as our Lenten study. It wasn’t far into this small yet packed book that I knew I would be challenged by the 6 chapters and that it would take courage to keep going, that it would require trust in the Spirit to take me to the places where I need to go to grow in my faith and understanding of scripture. As I made my way deeper into the book and my own reflection, I found God waiting with a gentle hand as new truths were revealed and my faith was strengthened. You see, I was sure I had it figured out, my life was good and I was doing a fair job of managing my time and life. God reminded me that while life is good, there is something better for me and for the world. Rest that is deeper than my usual. Rest that goes beyond the physical and moves into the emotional and spiritual.

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

There have been days as I allow the assertions of Bruggeman’s to roll around my head and heart when only the promises of God sustain me. I am challenged to look deep and wonder and hope. To wonder how I spend not only my money but also how I spend my time reflects my faith and my trust in God. There in the midst of the wondering is God’s grace and guidance and love through scripture, through friends and through you all as we worship together.

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now

Now my prayer has been for our church as we explore this book that is so much more than the day of Sabbath. This book has the power to transform who and what we are as individuals and as a faith community. If we are brave together. If we are willing to let the Spirit be our guide and take to places we may not expect. If we wonder and dream together of God’s kingdom in Onalaska where all know love and safety and have enough.

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

Life at First is good. We do a fair job of balancing things. But God has something more for us. Will you join me in exploring this short yet packed book and growing in our faith and understanding of God together? Small groups will be formed, and Wednesday nights during Lent will center around the themes in the book. Let us gather and read and see what God has in store for us.