Take a Step Back to Grow Closer to God // M-Note 2.21.2026

I just returned last weekend from Egypt, where I led a group of 54 people from The Gathering and a few other United Methodist Churches. We retraced the footsteps of Moses and the Exodus story. It was an incredible journey, and you will hear more about what I saw and learned in an upcoming series. But along the way, I had a lot of time to talk with people on the trip. I spent time hearing what was happening in their lives, why people decided to go on the trip, and what they were hoping to get out of it. The trip was part learning, part sightseeing, and part pilgrimage. The idea behind a pilgrimage is that sometimes we need to withdraw from our normal routine to grow closer to God.
 
This week we begin Lent, the 40-day season that leads up to Easter. Traditionally Lent was a time of restraint in the church. It was a time when people fasted from food, dedicated themselves to prayer, and gave up certain comforts. Lent is much like a spiritual pilgrimage -  withdrawing from your normal routine can help you draw closer to God. Even Jesus did this. Before he began his public ministry, he took 40 days to withdraw to the desert to battle demons (literally) and hear from God.
 
The good news is that you don’t have to travel anywhere to take a spiritual pilgrimage. It just means stepping back from certain habits that are distracting or unhealthy and taking on a few new ones that help point you back to God. These new habits can include a brief Lenten daily devotion, a new prayer habit (try The Methodist Book of Daily Prayer), getting in a group, acts of volunteering and service, or special acts of generosity and giving. One simple way to observe Lent is to plan to worship each of the 6 weeks of the season leading up to Easter. Invite someone else that has been wanting to try church to do it with you.
 
This weekend, I will be kicking off the season by wrapping up our series The Power of Serving. We will look at the temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness, how he responded to them, and what it can teach us about how we should live in the world today. I am excited to be back with you in church, and I hope you will make plans to join me.
 
Have a great weekend and I will see you Sunday!
 
Peace,
 
Matt

P.S. As part of this series, we planned some church-wide service days in partnership with Bridge of Hope, an organization with which we have a long history. There are chances to physically volunteer to help them renovate a space in downtown St. Louis that will house their new 24/7 medical respite program for people who are too medically fragile to recover on the streets or in shelters. Or, you can also donate much needed linens and clothes at our McCausland, Webster and Clayton sites. Get more details and sign up here.