Welcome Lent.
I prefer Ash Wednesday. There is something attractive about burning something. I like to burn things. Candles, incense, roux, fall leaves, hickory sticks over which to cook hot dogs. Their smell is pleasant to me.
God likes to burn things too. You are probably thinking, "yeah, like bad people." No, it breaks God's heart to see situations like Sodom and Gomorrah. But God likes to set people's hearts on fire; The Holy Spirit as the tool or "match" if you will. God wants to burn away the things in our hearts, our mind, our spirit, that interfere with his presence. He wants to burn those things away until what is left are ashes in the trash heap and beauty in his hands. The smell of those things burning is pleasant to God.
These next 40 days will be difficult for me but not as difficult as in times past. In times past I have focused primarily on what I was giving up even though I knew it was wrong. I have a better grasp this time I think.
It has to do with Philippians 3:10-11 which is posted on my sidebar at right.
Suffering.
It's a privilege.
It's to identify with Christ.
We should want that.
But do we?
This has allowed me to rethink these next forty days. Can I do without the things I gave up for Lent? Pop, sugar, and two meals a day, replaced with juicing, seconds at supper? I believe I can. But not only will I have the power to do so, thanks to the Holy Spirit in my life, I will also learn to focus on Jesus and ENJOY it; I will find joy in it.
Why?
I will find joy in it because I will be fellowshipping with Christ. I will be relating to him and with him. And, in doing those things, I will be...BECOMING LIKE HIM.
Praise his holy name.
About Me
- 70's CHICK
- I am a 41 year-old pastor's wife and reluctant mother of three. I struggle with clinical depression which, when translated, means that I struggle with life. If it were not for my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I would be dead; physically and spiritually.
Hi sweet friend. I know who you are. :) I am so so so glad that you are writing, so glad - because I love your honesty and well, just...YOU.
ReplyDeleteI love that you are working out your salvation (Yes, I know that Jesus paid it all, and it is complete...but we are human and we struggle and it is ALL a journey.) Pour it out, baby, pretty, ugly, in between - it doesn't matter. God can handle it all. :)
Thanks for being my friend. Yes, we are very different and have different journeys...but we have history, baby, and I am on your side. :)
(Is this too mushy for you? If you aren't who I think you are...I will feel like Elmo at the End of the Book: "Oh, I am so embarrassed." :) )
Now, regarding your post: the burning thing. Thanks for the perspective. I am in the OT right now, reading, and have wondered about the "burning." I'm like, "Why?" "Why is this pleasing to God?" But you shed some light on that....it's right in line with other ways we see His character beginning to be revealed to first the Israelites, then to the rest of us. As I begin to get the bigger picture of the OT - and to see the "Why" behind the sacrifices, the rituals, the covenants - wow. It's mind-blowing.
I'm in on Lent, too. My first time, really. And I hear ya. I am trying to worship him thru the craving. When I want the (fill in the blank,) I am hoping to and trying to turn to Him, raise my hands, and offer that to Him, to ask Him to fill me rather than comforting myself with sugar. (Or whatever. Ha.)
Sorry to be so wordy...just glad to connect with you and had a few min. while the little kiddos were coloring.
I knew you would know. I was waiting. LOL! Thanks! And just for the record, I like wordy AND mushy!! I very much appreciate you visiting. "See" ya soon!
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