Lenten Study 2

For the second day of Lent my scripture was John 21: 15-19.

¹⁵When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” ¹⁶A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” ¹⁷He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” ¹⁹(He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Reflection:

This passage, to me represents the testing and trials that we as followers of Christ go through. I think that we are constantly asked, if we love Him, trust Him, will follow Him, in spite of our weaknesses, sinning, and failures.  Being 2100 miles away from where I call home, I can’t tell you that that I haven’t been tested. The past 6 months have been nothing more than questioning whether or not me moving to Montana from Connecticut was something that I should do. But I have always known that I am here for a reason. I will follow Him and am ready for more of His tests. Bring it on Jesus.

 

Peace,

Brinna Kolitz

Advance (“project”) Number 3021354 .  http://www.advancinghope.org “give now”

Lenten Study 1

Happy Lent to you all!!

Typically during the 46 days of Lent, Christians all over the world “give up” parts of their daily life as a part of their Lenten practice. Everything from chocolate to smoking to soda to more complex parts of our lives.

This year, I am choosing to take something on, instead of giving something up.

As you may know, I am United Methodist Missionary, and I admit that I am not very “Bible Literate”. I have never really taken interest in reading and reflecting on scripture.

I am putting that to an end, and starting to do just that this Lent.   I have enlisted the help of family and friends via Facebook. I asked about 90 people to send me their favorite or random scriptures. Out of the responses that I receive, I will try my best to read and reflect on all of them throughout Lent. So far, the result that I have gotten, have been AMAZING!

Throughout Lent, while I go through this journey, I will *try* to blog about my reflections, please forgive me if I do not get to it each day.

Day 1   2/22/12  Ash Wednesday

Micah 6: 6-8 (NRSV)

” ‘With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?’ He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

As I read this passage, I think of my calling to become a US-2 Missionary and my faith journey starting when I was young. I always knew that I wanted to dedicate my life to serving God and helping others. But I often questioned if that was enough, if I should be offering more. This is still something that I struggle with every now and then. The last line, what Micah is telling us, what’s good, it’s when we  love and help others, are kind to others, are humbled and work towards justice. Sound familiar? At least it does to me…take a look at the “tab” at the top of this page that says “what is the us-2/mission intern program?”

Whatever you bring to God, is enough.

Peace,

Brinna Kolitz

Advance (“project”) Number 3021354 .  http://www.advancinghope.org “give now”