Many prayers could be offered for you this Lent, but mine is that you personally be drawn closer to Jesus. We easily confuse our roles with our soul, which tempts us into salvation by our works. You know how that goes …

I enjoy Peggy Noonan’s weekly column in the Wall Street Journal. A speech writer for President Ronald Reagan, she marries insights with fresh words. Some weeks ago she was reflecting on a book by Dean Acheson, Secretary of State under President Harry Truman. World War II was over; no one knew what was ahead. “Everyone’s in the dark looking for the switch. When you’re in the middle of history the meaning of things is usually unclear … In real time most things are obscure … ‘Only slowly did it dawn upon us that the whole world structure and order that we had inherited from the nineteenth century was gone.’” (February 11-12; A13). Similarly in our time, from churched America to unchurched America, it’s a challenging time for ministry, but not depressing. In the dark, we do know where the Light is.

I’m always challenged by Ex. 3:11-12. Moses asks how he can go to Pharaoh. God’s answer: “I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” You want a sign? Just trust My word. I’m with you and in time to come, you’ll see that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. “The vision awaits its appointed time” (Hab. 2:3).

Sola gratia, sola fide, sola scriptura … Trust in the gracious promises of God as we face the daunting challenges of new ministry contexts, but most importantly, trust in the grace that comes to you and me personally as the darkness of Lent leads us again to the Light of Christ. O Spirit of Christ, uphold your servants in their roles and flood our souls with the light of Your promises. “In your light, do we see light” (Ps. 36:9).

Blessings,

Dale

Dr. Dale A. Meyer, President
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis