Dear friend,

This last week Christians all over the world celebrated Ash Wednesday, as the Lenten season began and will last for 40 days until Easter.

One of my favorite Lenten devotionals is written by Walter Brueggemann, and he writes, “We are on the road again! … we are on the road again in Lent, walking the way of obedience to Jerusalem… It turns out, every time, to be a hazardous journey, full of toils and snares, potholes and adversaries … But women and men of faith are always on the road again, departing safe places, running risks, and hoping for well-being on the journey.”

“… and we must also travel beyond safe places to the gifted end that God intends, hopefully to be blessed and to be a blessing on the way.”

This makes me think of the spiritual journey we are all on, and how it can grow in meaning this time of the year. It also makes me think of how our courageous partners around the world keep traveling, even when there are “toils and snares, potholes and adversaries.” They keep traveling to help others live better lives.

Until next Monday morning,