What do you see when you look at the world around you? Do you experience awe and gratitude or take things for granted? These are essential questions affecting our sense of stewardship, which is our responsibility to care for the earth and everything in it as God's gift.

We hear and trust Mary's story, and the stories we all have to tell. We are the heirs of the apostles, charged with telling that same story told long ago. Death is conquered. We are free. How do you tell this story?

Rejoice at the end of the journey, but know challenges lie ahead. The challenges of boot camp culminate in celebration. The hard work and self-examination experienced along the way come to an end with a sigh of relief and a hoot of safisfation. But boot camp is not an end unto itself, it is preparation for the challenges still to come.

When all hope seems lost, God revives. There comes a point in every trial when it seems difficult to go on, as if death is imminent. We will soon see that death is not the end. There is no ultimate separation from the love of God.

We are more than we appear to be. Who defines normal, respectable, or whole? Do you ever feel defined by one label or characteristic? When we undergo extreme transformation, we shed old definitions of ourselves and claim a new identity, defined by the power of God working in us.

Water is life. A truth known to humanity for as long as history can see behind us. Water is ancient. Every bit of water on our planet has been here since the dawn of creation and will be here long after our cities have fallen and our cultures upended. Our scripture this morning argues that living water (or spiritual water) is just as critical to human life and thriving. Let's unpack the meaning of Living Water together.

Spiritual rebirth means a new start. The change boot camp brings means leaving some of our old habits, prejudices, and weaknesses behind. The gospel calls this kind of fresh start being born again.

We face temptation as we discern what God really wants for us. Boot camp is all about making necessary changes through hard work. We begin this season of intentionality with a reminder of the power of temptation to lead us away from God. But we also hold fast to the promise of forgiveness.