New Frontier

Lent is a bi-directional season. Or at least it should be. That isn’t how we usually experience the season, however. Too often, we see the Lenten journey simply as a journey inward. While that’s a great start or an important component to a powerful Lenten experience, it can’t be the whole story. Examining your soul is more than just looking inward; it is also considering the state of your soul as it walks about in the world. This isn’t new. Historically, the church has talked about the spiritual disciplines in two directions and like the great commandment, these two sides of the same coin cannot ultimately be separated. That is why this series is about doing both – looking inward and moving outward. We are learning to live inside out.

Despite humanity’s rough start in the garden, followed by Cain murdering his brother Abel, followed by the great flood, followed by the tower of Babel, God still desired an intimate connection with us. We see this in his call and promise to Abram. Unlike Adam and Eve, Abram followed God’s clear direction which pointed him toward a new frontier. What does this story tell us about our internal inclination to stay where we’re comfortable instead of stepping out on faith? How can we do better as we walk in the world?