New Life?

    We are living through Lent - in fact we are well into the fifth week.  We celebrated Shrove Tuesday, preparing our own ashes to be received the next day.  “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.”  We are given a stark reminder of our mortality.  A short time later we are plunged into social distancing - a reality not freely chosen.  We are living by some pretty tough guidelines not only to protect ourselves but because we care about everyone.  We are learning more about how to love.  
    You might say that the whole world is now connected.  We have always been but maybe we are just realizing it due to this powerful invisible enemy.  What you or I do really does matter to everyone - even to others on the opposite side of the world.  When I ponder more about this invisible enemy, this unseen power that is turning the world upside down I am reminded of another invisible power.  In the Godly Play story of baptism a favorite or most important part of the story to many of the listeners is often about the dove that some saw break through the heavens to come near Jesus when he came up out of the dark chaotic waters of baptism into the light.  “The Holy Spirit rides the invisible wind like a dove.  It comes to us when we need comfort, power, hope or courage.  It is invisible just like the scent of the oil of baptism.  It is invisible but we know it is there.”  Jesus leaves the Jordan River and goes into the desert to wrestle with the unseen powers of darkness.  He emerges empowered by the Holy Spirit to live the life he is called to.   
    We too are in the desert wrestling with some dark unseen power.  The Holy Spirit is with us as it was with Jesus empowering us for new life.  Watch and listen for little signs of new life.  Perhaps it will be in a sidewalk mural of hope from a child.  Maybe it will be in a news story of the overwhelming compassion and courage of those on the front line. Maybe you are beginning to see things differently.  Things that mattered a month ago are not so important.  Maybe you are plunged into a deeper life of prayer.  I sure have been.
    Remember that this power of the Holy Spirit is much stronger than any invisible enemy.  Trust that and ask God for signs of new life.  I promise that you will begin to see them all around you.  We will emerge changed from this desert with a power to help transform the world.