Learning to Live the Covenant
- edenmunciepastor
- Feb 1
- 3 min read
Encounter: Meditate and listen to this week’s scripture focus in our 730+ reading and prayer app, Lectio 365
This week’s Scriptures remind us that God’s response to human brokenness has always been covenant love. From Abraham’s call to Mary’s yes, God initiates, teaches, and fulfills His promises—inviting us to listen and live as people through whom the world is blessed.
Permacrisis was named as the word of the year in 2022—a term used to describe a season of ongoing instability, where one crisis seems to bleed into the next without resolution. Economic uncertainty, political division, global conflict, climate anxiety, cultural upheaval, personal exhaustion—rather than moving from crisis to recovery, many of us feel like we are living in a constant state of disruption even three years later. But I wonder if this has always been the case since humans tried doing things their way. Maybe permacrisis is normal for a world in rebellion. It also seems we notice it more as we grow closer to Jesus. Why is this important?
Permacrisis doesn’t just affect headlines; it affects our souls. It shapes how we make decisions, how quickly we react, how easily fear takes over, and how tempted we are to grasp for control just to feel steady again. In times like these, urgency can masquerade as wisdom, and anxiety can sound like common sense.
That is why learning to discern the promptings of the Lord matters now more than ever. When the world is loud, reactive, and rushed, God’s voice is often quieter—calling us not to panic, but to trust; not to control, but to listen; not to make a name for ourselves, but to live faithfully as people of covenant. In a permacrisis world, attentiveness to God is not a luxury—it is essential for living with humility, courage, and hope.
As we return to the story of Abraham, the fulfillment of God’s promises in Christ, and the wisdom of learning to listen well, we are reminded that God has always met His people in uncertain times—not with haste, but with faithfulness, and with a voice that still leads us toward life.
Learning to Discern the Promptings of God is the invitation throughout scripture, from the still small voice to the voice of our shepherd, we are created for this. The problem we have now is that another voice is speaking that seeks to draw us away from following God.
Abraham’s story reminds us that faith is not about always getting it right—it’s about staying in relationship with God as we learn to trust His voice. Scripture shows us that God speaks, but we often need help slowing down enough to listen well.
Spiritual Practice:
This week, we are sharing an Ignatian Discernment worksheet that helps us practice listening with humility (see below). Rooted in centuries of Christian wisdom, it invites us to pray, notice what is happening in our hearts, make a decision, and then pay attention to the fruit of that decision.
James tells us that God’s wisdom is generous and trustworthy—but that fear and desire can distort our listening. Discernment helps us tell the difference. It teaches us to recognize when we are acting from trust versus when we are trying to “make a name for ourselves.”
As we learn to live the covenant, may we become people who pause, listen, and respond—trusting that God is faithful even when we are still learning. See you in worship!
Learning with you,
Pastor T
GATHER: SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION
Where do you see Abraham acting from trust? From fear?
Which step of discernment feels most natural to you? Which feels hardest?
How do you recognize consolation or desolation in your own life?
When have you rushed a decision out of anxiety?
How does James 1 help clarify God’s wisdom versus competing voices?
What decision might God be inviting you to discern more slowly right now?
Prayer
God of my life,
I lift my soul to you.
Teach me your ways.
Slow my steps so I may learn to walk with you.
Be my hope, not just in moments of crisis,
but all day long.
Amen
-Scott Brennan
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