Lent for everyone; day one

Today's readings:
Psalm 95, 32, 143, AMOS 5:6-15, Hebrews 12:1-14, Luke 18:9-14

My youngest daughter once looked at me and out of the blue stated: "dad, I have beautiful words in my head".  I melted.

We all are attracted to beautiful words.

So what is the most beautiful word in the Bible?

Is it love, or peace, or joy, or eternal, or forgiveness, reconciliation?

It it is all of these and more. 

The most beautiful word in the Bible is repent. 

Repent, really? 

Yes. Repent within the heart of God does not carry all of the baggage we conjure up.

I'll love you... if

You'll have peace... as long as

You'll always have feel joyful...only when

I'll forgive you...only so many times

We can be reconciled...when you do...

Repent has no conditions. It simply means "turn around and come back"

God does not make repentance conditional, we do.

This is what Lent is about, taking time to turn back, and there are a few things we can do to help

1. We give things up (fast)

We give up things not only to remind us of what Jesus gave up for us,  but also to make space in our lives to turn from our business and be with God.  Fasting is a great practice but to really experience the joy of it follow these two simple guidelines: 

...give up something that distracts you from spending time with God (Facebook, TV, gaming, etc.), 

...and find something that keeps you from keeps you from bearing the full image of God (harmful language or sarcasm, gossip, etc). When we give ungodly things, do not take them back up after the 40 days! We want to remain more lovley.

2. We take things on

We give up "ungodly things" or distractions so that we can spend more time on the good things: reading the Bible, praying, acts of service for others. Work at a soup kitchen, visit a nursing home, give of yourself.

3. Finally, the ashes on our heads

Some don't follow this tradition and this is not a place not to argue but to explain. 

Some people wear them to remind themselves that they are not the center of universe, God is. 

It is a symbolic act of what folks used to do in the Bible when they were really sorry. They would put on old clothes and sit outside the camp in the trash pile and put ashes on their heads (which was burnt garbage).

It is like putting a sticky note on your forehead that says "I love you dad!"

It wasn't to get God's attention, but a way of saying "I turn back". You don't have to wear ashes. It makes many uncomfortable. But this is good. If makes us think that what we do for God is about us and him, not what others think about us. If you have a problem with it it is best not to do it but struggle through it today.  Put ashes on your heart. That is what matters.

All of this (ashes, giving up, taking on) simply boils down to the essence of repentance.

God says come back, I love you my child.

 And we reply: I love you dad. 

 

amen