They are all around us, these salvation stories. They are in scripture, they are in our families, they are in our church. Salvation stories. Those times when God intercedes in history, in our lives, in the lives of those we know, and works in mighty ways to bring salvation.
During the Lenten Season we will focus on these salvation stories. We will read the story of the Israelite’s salvation at the Red Sea. The story of God’s salvation for Noah and his family in the flood. The story of Jonah and the Big Fish, the Fiery Furnace, and more. We will hear Salvation Stories from members of the May Memorial family and how God brought salvation from addiction, from despair, and from disease. It is a season of Salvation Stories.
These Salvation Stories tell a big story, that ends with the greatest Salvation Story of all of them, the story of the empty tomb. And when we get to Easter weekend, we will celebrate and rejoice in a way fitting the Salvation Story of Resurrection.
This year, we will have no Maundy Thursday service. Instead, we will have an Easter Eve Service, an Easter Vigil, a service and party fitting the rejoicing over an empty tomb.
This is a different approach to Lent this year, a focus on God’s saving works throughout space and time. Salvation for individuals, for communities, and for the world.
As Lent begins this week, I wonder, where do you need for God to bring salvation in your life? In your family? In our world? Have you waited for salvation and have nearly given up, or have doubted that God will come through for you? May this season of Salvation Stories encourage you, and may God restore your hope, that He will work and bring salvation.