Second Youth Indy

  Journey.  What comes to mind when you think of the word journey? What journey (or journeys!) are you currently on? In the Book of Genesis, the word journey shows up a lot and there are a lot of journeys taking place. Take a peek around Genesis. Where do you see journeys taking place? What is happening? Who is involved? In what ways is God showing up or not showing up during these journeys?

Despair. Ugh. This isn't a very fun word of the day. What are we to do with despair?  Have you ever been there - in a place of despair? What was that like?  The Psalmists talk about despair in really open and honest ways, "Insults have broken my heart,  so that I am in despair.  I looked for pity, but there was none;  and for comforters, but I found none." (Ps. 69:20) Ugh again.  One of the gifts (and challenges!) of the Psalms is that they're raw and honest about the many feelings, emotions, and experiences that we have as humans. Spend some time with the Psalms this week. What do you notice? What other feelings, emotions, and experiences do the Psalmists talk openly about?

  Sustenance.   “Instead of these things you gave your people food of angels, and without their toil you supplied them from heaven with bread ready to eat, providing every pleasure and suited to every taste. For your sustenance manifested your sweetness toward your children, and the bread, ministering to the desire of the one who took it, was changed to suit everyone’s liking.” (Wis. 16:20-21)   What is providing sustenance in your life right now? Where are you feeling depleted? Reflect on a time when you received sustenance at an unexpected moment. What was that like?

  Questioning.   What questions (big and/or small) are you currently pondering? In our current world, what questions do we need to be asking? What questions of faith are you currently asking? (Or, said another way, what are you and God in conversation about?)

  Curiosity.   “There the angel of the Lord appeared to [Moses] in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed.  Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight and see why the bush is not burned up.” (Exodus 3:2-3)   What are you currently feeling curious about?  When in your life have you experienced the need to “turn aside” and see what is happening? Have you ever had a “burning bush” moment in your life?

Joy.   What brings joy to your life? When do you feel most joyful? How does joy play a role in your life of faith?