... these are times that are more open to the creative energy of God and the refocusing of our purposes and resources. New ways of staying in touch with families, friends, and colleagues are a part of the everyday rather than the exception. God has doors standing wide open for us to walk through and find new ways to reach people with God’s grace, love, and power and the promise of a Fourth Day lifestyle.

 

Almost a century ago, English mystic Evelyn Underhill (1875–1941) wrote: “If … we desire a simple test of the quality of our spiritual life, a consideration of the tranquility, gentleness, and strength with which we deal with circumstances of our outward life will serve us better than anything that is based on the loftiness of our religious notions, or fervor of our religious feelings. Tranquility, gentleness, and strength … This is the threefold imprint of the Spirit on the souls surrendered to His great action.”

 

Friends, the journey is long, but there is still life to be lived. May we continue to live wisely and fearlessly with God at our side.

 

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights …” (Matthew 4:1-2, NRSV).