We are knee deep in the season of Lent. We find ourselves caught half way between the longing for earlier days of peace and light in Epiphany on one side and on the other the glory of Easter morning. Yet here in the middle of our journey, we are captured by moments of struggle – wanting to be obedient to our Savior’s call to follow but finding it difficult to see his footsteps in the shadows of Lent.

We spend a good amount of time looking to the end of the journey of Lent. Just get us to Easter morning. In the dawn of the resurrection of Jesus, let us hear the cries of Alleluia! God’s promise is that we will, indeed, find ourselves outside an empty tomb come Easter morning. Yet, I am convinced that the joy of Easter is often difficult for us to grasp in the midst of our journeys in this life. It is the reason I need the reminder that I do not walk alone in these days of Lent. Earlier this week, I was reminded of the words of the song that express my hope for these long and some times desperate days.

I want Jesus to walk with me; I want Jesus to walk with me;
all along my pilgrim journey, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

In my trials, Lord, walk with me; in my trials, Lord, walk with me;
when my heart is almost breaking, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me; when I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me;
when my head is bowed in sorrow, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

Our journey of faith is full of twists and turns, mountains and valleys, and often surprises that can be both unexpected moments of joy and shattering times of sadness. God allows all of it in this life. We live. We love. We learn. We walk this journey of faith without being able to see the outcome. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” I need that reminder in my life. I find myself needing to be reminded that God is the one leading this journey. God leads – I follow. The great challenge is in letting go of my own needs and wants long enough to let God lead me where God invites me to go. This is my struggle and hope in this faith journey we call Lent. When I am desperate for Jesus to walk with me, I forget that God has promised to always be near.

I will keep singing the song. The words help me to remember and refocus my days on the promise of God for my life. All along my journey; in my trials; when my head is bowed in sorrow…Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me. And that will be enough.

All the way through the rest of Lent – into the holy days of Palm Sunday and Maundy Thursday and Good Friday – all the way to the cross. And then when I am at my end – when we have buried Jesus in the tomb – I will keep singing the song. I will sing in sadness and shadow until Jesus rises from the dead and gives me a new song to sing. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

See you in church,
Pastor Chris
(Reprinted from the April 2019 newsletter)