Church of the Messiah

“Pardon our Dust.” It’s a sure indication of progress when we begin dismantling something. Before anything new can happen, something old has to be removed. Jesus reminds his listeners that one never puts new wine in old wineskins. The old wineskins are no longer suitable to the task and will burst or split. “Pardon our Dust.” This phrase has been on my mind a lot this week as Phase 2 construction work is in full swing. The inevitable dust, and noise, and occasional smells have become reliable companions in and around the church building. Prophets are like construction crews. They come along speaking truth into our lives, pouring new wine into our old wineskins, disrupting the status quo, and generally dismantling our assumptions and habits. The result is growth as we are stretched into deeper connection with God. Letting go of old ways and making room for new ways is what Lent is all about. This week, in our Hearing Godseries, we’ll take a look at how we hear what God is saying to us through the sometimes uncomfortable words of prophets old and new.