Pastor's Reflection 2026-01-22
Last October I was on vacation in Honolulu. While I was there, I had hoped to slow down and come home rested, relaxed and renewed. I also knew I’d be spending time with my brother. So, I did what I often do to show people I care about them, I cooked, I cleaned, I made sure the fridge was full, I hung out with him.
I also had to work a little while I was there. I am currently planning the National Japanese American Caucus retreat that will be held in Honolulu in November 2026. I had two meetings about the retreat with local folks. They were good meetings, important meetings but they kept pulling me back into that “at work” headspace. By about the 5th day, I realized something: my body was in Hawaii, but my mind was still acting like I was on the clock. Even in that beautiful place, I was living in “manage everything” mode. I wasn’t relaxed or renewed. I was tired.
That evening, I took a quiet walk by myself. No agenda, just a walk around the neighborhood, the warm breeze, and the beautiful view. As I paused to watch the sunset, I noticed how hard it can be for me to really slow down, to let go and relax. My mind kept reaching for the next task, the next problem, the next thing to fix. That’s when it became clear to me: the issue wasn’t Hawaii, or even work, it was how tightly I hold onto everything and when I hold on and try to control everything in my life, I can’t relax or be free.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18. Here at Wesley our theme for Lent 2026 is “A Season of Freedom.” When people hear “freedom,” we might think of independence, like no limits, no obligations, no one telling us what to do. But for Christians, freedom is something deeper. It’s the freedom that comes when let go of what we are trying to control and trust Christ to provide for us.
This Lent, we are going to name some of the things that quietly bind us. We’ll explore freedom from hurry, freedom from self-criticism, freedom from comparison, freedom from approval-seeking, and the freedom to feel joy. The goal isn’t self-improvement. The goal is spiritual liberation: making room for grace, healing, new life = freedom!
Our scriptural grounding for this Lent will Galatians 5:1: “For freedom Christ has set us free”. This verse isn’t a slogan; it’s a promise.
I want to warmly invite you to come to Wesley during Lent, whether you’ve been here for years, or you’re brand new, or you’ve been away for a while and you’re thinking about returning. Come worship. Come breathe. Come sing and pray with us. Come let the word of God meet you exactly where you are. Come and experience FREEDOM!
I have a hunch that if you show up and open your heart, you will grow spiritually. Not because the sermons will be perfect, but because God is faithful. God will use this season to do some deep work in you. God will meet you in truth. God meet you in community. God will set you free!
I am looking forward to walking on this journey called Lent with you!
Peace of Christ,
Pastor John
I also had to work a little while I was there. I am currently planning the National Japanese American Caucus retreat that will be held in Honolulu in November 2026. I had two meetings about the retreat with local folks. They were good meetings, important meetings but they kept pulling me back into that “at work” headspace. By about the 5th day, I realized something: my body was in Hawaii, but my mind was still acting like I was on the clock. Even in that beautiful place, I was living in “manage everything” mode. I wasn’t relaxed or renewed. I was tired.
That evening, I took a quiet walk by myself. No agenda, just a walk around the neighborhood, the warm breeze, and the beautiful view. As I paused to watch the sunset, I noticed how hard it can be for me to really slow down, to let go and relax. My mind kept reaching for the next task, the next problem, the next thing to fix. That’s when it became clear to me: the issue wasn’t Hawaii, or even work, it was how tightly I hold onto everything and when I hold on and try to control everything in my life, I can’t relax or be free.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18. Here at Wesley our theme for Lent 2026 is “A Season of Freedom.” When people hear “freedom,” we might think of independence, like no limits, no obligations, no one telling us what to do. But for Christians, freedom is something deeper. It’s the freedom that comes when let go of what we are trying to control and trust Christ to provide for us.
This Lent, we are going to name some of the things that quietly bind us. We’ll explore freedom from hurry, freedom from self-criticism, freedom from comparison, freedom from approval-seeking, and the freedom to feel joy. The goal isn’t self-improvement. The goal is spiritual liberation: making room for grace, healing, new life = freedom!
Our scriptural grounding for this Lent will Galatians 5:1: “For freedom Christ has set us free”. This verse isn’t a slogan; it’s a promise.
I want to warmly invite you to come to Wesley during Lent, whether you’ve been here for years, or you’re brand new, or you’ve been away for a while and you’re thinking about returning. Come worship. Come breathe. Come sing and pray with us. Come let the word of God meet you exactly where you are. Come and experience FREEDOM!
I have a hunch that if you show up and open your heart, you will grow spiritually. Not because the sermons will be perfect, but because God is faithful. God will use this season to do some deep work in you. God will meet you in truth. God meet you in community. God will set you free!
I am looking forward to walking on this journey called Lent with you!
Peace of Christ,
Pastor John
Posted in Newsletter 2026-01-22