The Heart’s Rebellion

Focus Statement

As we prepare for Lent,

we’re called to trade self-reliance for God’s guidance, packing only what truly sustains us.

This wilderness journey invites us to discover what really matters.

Point of Relation

Ever seen the movie “City Slickers” with Billy Crystal and Jack Palance?

Stressed-out city folks play cowboy on a cattle drive,

hilariously unprepared.

Imagine hiking in dress shoes - that’s our guys.

They learn real quick: cattle drives need guidance and prep.

Our Lenten journey’s similar.

We can’t wander into the spiritual wilderness unprepared.

We need to face our “one thing” -

that core truth God’s calling us to discover.

So, let’s take a cue from those movie cowboys.

Pack light, pack right.

Be ready for soul-searching,

and let God wrangle your heart into shape.

So, yeehaw, pilgrims!

Things to Consider

Lent looms on the horizon,

a spiritual desert calling our names.

But before we pack our bags, let’s pause.

This wilderness isn’t a punishment - it’s an invitation.

Like Jesus, we’re not being banished; we’re being beckoned.

It’s our chance to strip away the noise,

face our mirages,

and rediscover what truly sustains us.

As we prep for this journey, consider:

What comfort zones are you clinging to?

What self-made oases might you need to leave behind?

Remember, in the desert, we don’t just survive - we’re refined.

So, are you ready to trade your map for God’s compass?

Pause

What Scripture Says

Jeremiah’s words hit us like a divine GPS alert at the crossroads of life.

We’re about to step into uncharted territory,

and suddenly we’ve got to choose:

Do we trust our own wonky internal compass,

or sync up with the cosmic navigation system?

Picture this:

On one side,

there’s a path that looks like a music festival after everyone’s gone home -

all dried up and littered with broken dreams.

That’s what happens when we put all our chips on human power.

But flip the script, and there’s this hidden spring of life,

flowing for those who’ve figured out that God’s the ultimate hydration pack for this journey.

Our hearts?

They’re like those fun house mirrors at a carnival -

distorting reality and making us believe we’ve got it all figured out.

But here’s the kicker:

God sees through our Instagram filters. God knows the real deal.

So, as we’re packing for this Lenten road trip,

we’ve got to ask ourselves:

Are we loading up on emotional junk food that’ll leave us hangry and lost?

Or are we brave enough to travel light,

carrying nothing but a truckload of trust in the One who can turn any desert into an oasis?

This is our moment to decide:

Do we cling to our illusion of control,

or do we dare to venture into the unknown with God as our cosmic Uber driver?

The wilderness is calling,

and it’s promising one wild ride of transformation.

Time to ditch the excess baggage and keep only what really matters -

a trust so deep it could put roots in a sandstorm.

What This Means for You

Standing at the edge of Lent, you’re packing for a soul journey.

What’s weighing you down?

That comfy self-reliance?

Time to swap it for trust in God -

it’s your all-weather gear for life’s storms.

Friends, our heart’s have been playing tricks,

but it’s time to hand over the controls.

This week, ditch the spiritual junk food.

Choose God’s GPS over your wonky internal compass.

It’s not about being perfect,

just perfectly okay with not having all the answers.

What This Means for Us

Church,

we’re all in this desert prep together.

As a community, we’re swapping our collective GPS for God’s guidance.

It’s time to ditch the mirages of self-reliance and tap into the real oasis.

Together, let’s pack light but also pack right.

Our journey through Lent isn’t a solo hike;

it’s a caravan of transformation. We’ll be each other’s water carriers, trust-builders, and cheer squad.

When one of us stumbles on a dune of doubt,

we’ll be there with a hand up and a reminder:

God’s got this.

This Lent, let’s be a tribe that trusts fiercely, loves wildly,

and walks boldly into the wilderness, knowing we’re in this together.

Ready for the adventure? Let’s go.

Amen? Amen.