March 30

Kent Busman is Camp Fowler’s executive director.

Isaiah 42:1-9

Lent is drawing to its bitter close. We marched with the peaceful King on his colt yesterday and heard the crowds cheering. The “light to the nations” is about to be darkened. The one who opens “the eyes of the blind” will have his eyes shut and be placed in his own dungeon-tomb.

But not today. Today Jesus looks around and perhaps Isaiah’s song of praise and resistance is on his lips. Like the prophet, Jesus could see the reality before him: betrayals, curses, and a cross. But there was more to come, to use the words of musician Bruce Cockburn, “just beyond the range of normal sight.”

In our walk with the Christ, often we lose sight of the bigger picture. Isaiah is a reminder to us of what the journey is for. It’s not for our own glory or victory. We live in faith in order to be a light to find the captives and those in prison and all those cast aside. And then, like Isaiah, we will walk with them to the far side of Lent and the One who waits for us there.

Prayer: Lord, let us not fall prey to those who would have us confess your name, but abandon the ones you came to redeem. May we be part of Isaiah’s vision, stretching out as far as your heavens. And give us courage as we stand with them, waiting for the “former things to pass” and listening for the “new things you now declare.”

The 2015 Lenten reflections were submitted by staff, volunteers, board members, campers, and friends who have spent time at Camp Fowler in New York.

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.