We are now 6 days into Lent after beginning with our Ash Wednesday service. When the people came down for the imposition of ashes and communion, I placed a cross on each individual's forehead and said, "Repent and believe the Gospel." This phrase is intended to challenge us to be true believers that live the gospel rather than just "mouth it."
This, then, causes me to think about how I want to live out my 40 days leading up to Easter. Do I want to give up something (like coffee, chocolate, Diet-Pepsi, etc.) and if so, what will that do to help me better live the Gospel in new and powerful ways. I have to admit, I have never been one to give something up for Lent. It just didn't seem to have any real meaning for me. I guess it could be seen as a sacrifice and we are identifying with Jesus' sacrifice. But it is hard for me to equate my thirst for a Diet-Pepsi with hanging on a cross thirsting for even a drop of water. Something just gets lost in translation for me.
What I want to do this Lent is concentrate on specific ways I can show Christ to others. It may be by visiting someone I have never visited (or don't really WANT to visit) and give a good word or share some food. It may be reading more scripture than I normally do so that I might be enlightened by the Spirit in ways I might otherwise miss. It might be that I am more intentional in my prayerlife, more generous in my giving, more loving in my actions. Maybe what I need to do differently this Lenten season is ALL OF THE ABOVE.
If I could get to Easter Sunday having experienced in some small way, how Jesus saw discipleship - I think it would be so much more meaningful than having given up a daily shot of caffeine. And, maybe - just maybe, rather than starting back up with the Diet-Pepsi on the day after Easter, a changed way of living and serving, might not stop at Easter Day but become a new standard operating procedure for my life.
Just thinking...
Pastor Don.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment