March 3

Lindsay Close is former summer assistant director and wilderness guide at Camp Fowler.

Psalm 19:1-6

In a world that is filled with the constant chatter of messages, texts, tweets, posts, and pins, I find sweet relief in the image of God’s glory and magnificence spreading silently across the earth. With ever-increasing expectations to be constantly connected, we are called during this Lenten season to simply step back, be still, and be quietly filled with the wonder of God’s presence all around us.

It is often difficult to stop long enough to truly experience and acknowledge God’s presence, which is why it is necessary to seek out those elusive places where the mind, heart, body, and soul are all fully present at the same time. These are the “thin places”—the places where we are most aware of God’s presence, where the noisy distractions of our world drop away and we are able to fully appreciate the wonder of God’s amazing creation.

As the hectic pace of life and work looms this Lent, let us remember the grace that can be found in the “thin places” around us. Whether it is a weekend hike up north, an early morning paddle across a lake, or a stroll through the backyard, it is these bits of wilderness that connect us to God. They remind us to slow down, to look up, and to be humbled by the power, wonder, and grace of God that surround us.

Prayer: Creator God, help us to be still, to slow down, and to turn our eyes and ears to the heavens that quietly tell your glory and declare the works of your hands. Amen.

For this year’s Lent devotions, the days follow the Common Lectionary texts. Each author was invited to: 1.Read the passage.
2.Read a couple passages before and after the assigned day.
3.Do something else for the day, keeping the passage in mind.
4.Find a word/phrase/concept that connects with your own experience. Reflect on that.
You are encouraged to do the same.