Jeremy L. Berg

Regular readers of DI may have noticed a drop off in more personal, new content.  As an internal processor and someone who likes to share my inward journey with God with others, the past 2 1/2 months have been hard for me.  I have not been able to share openly about some personal circumstances that were fresh and time-sensitive.

In January, we were hit with news of my ministry position being cut this May for budgetary reasons, and have been entering a season of seeking what’s next for us.  I have not thought it right to emote and share this publicly.  Bottom line: There’s a lot going on in my world, and I have not shared any of it here.

In ministry, when you leave your position it usually means leaving your church family.  We love our church, and all the relationships we are just beginning to form and this is not an easy time.  This is especially difficult for Keri who is so deeply relational and gets so much life out of investing in the relationships she has formed with “her kiddos” as she calls our youth group.  We are in a grieving process for sure.

The past 2 1/2 months have also been exciting as I have been approached with two intriguing ministry opportunities.  It has been hard NOT to blog about this exciting time of dreaming, scheming, meeting, talking, planning, praying and discerning God’s call for Keri and I.  Yet, we stand here today, moving closer and closer to Good Friday and Easter celebration, but still very much in the middle of the dark tunnel of Lent trusting there will be some God-given light of clarity at the end of this season of uncertainty and prayer.

We don’t know what’s next as of today.  We thought we knew what was next two weeks ago.  Maybe we’ll have a better sense of clarity by Easter.  But for now I am trying to allow these circumstances to draw me more into the spirit of Lent — which is an annual journey through a long, dark, 40-day period of prayerful expectation, mourning, self-reflection, purification, confession leading up to Good Friday and Easter Day that brings renewed hope and celebration of our Savior Jesus who shines light into the dark places of the world and our own selves.

Please pray for us as we try to wander faithfully through our own personal tunnel this Lent.  Then join us in celebrating the light of God’s victory bursting forth from the empty tomb on Easter Sunday — bringing renewed hope to our lives, no matter how uncertain our life’s circumstances may be.

Trusting God.

Jeremy