This passage from Isaiah 55 keeps speaking to me: “Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come buy and eat!”

Isaiah puts out this call and then goes on to describe the rich abundance offered to the people of Israel by a God who knows no limits to grace. It’s an invitation to all who are hungry, who find themselves alone, all who have lost their way.

This is good news in a world where the earth is literally shifting beneath our feet. The images coming from Chile after last weekend’s earthquake are frighteningly similar to those from Haiti just six weeks ago. Thankfully, better infrastructure, less poverty, and different geology mean the death toll will likely be in the hundreds, not the hundreds of thousands as it was in Haiti, but there will still be much rebuilding to do.

Once again, the Week of Compassion responded with aid within hours of the earthquake. I’ve said before how grateful I am for the ministry of Week of Compassion, which provides disaster relief and humanitarian aid all over the world. I’m grateful for their ongoing partnerships that let them respond immediately when disaster strikes. I’m grateful that I can be a part of that work, even though I’m not there. I’m grateful for the Week of Compassion staff – Amy, Brandon, and Elaine – who are called to this incredible service. Will you join me in prayer for them, and for all in Chile and Haiti who are rescuing, recovering, and rebuilding?

As we continue through Lent, I invite you to look for ways that God is calling you into service, or calling you to come home, or calling you to share in the extravagant abundance of God’s unending love.