Jesus said, "Come with me to a place apart"I will come with you, Lord, to a place apart.
For you are my Rabbi,
my Teacher in all things -
and the deepest things...
In this treasure of Time
help me to find what's deepest
and most meaningful
so that I may grow
into the gift
and promises
of Life
This time of Lent is a great time for us as Christians to reflect what the Son of Man did for us. I like the thought that we may "grow into the gift and promises of life"... This time of Lent allows us to do this. However, i am often concerned that the kind of things we give up during Lent are things that we pick right back up after Lent? How then are we growing into "the gift and promises of life"?
ReplyDeleteChrist has given us his life with no expectation of anything in return but when we give 'things' up during Lent, we often do so with the expectation that we will go right back to it after Lent. Is the purpose of Lent not to give up something that we can replace with spending time with our Lord? I have started to question how benfitial my sacrifices are during this Lent time.
Some of the things we "give up" and then "pick up" after Lent can be picked up with a deeper appreciation and sensitivity. I think that is the ultimate point of the Practice/discipline.
ReplyDeleteAlso, we are meant to recognize and acknowledge that these are free gifts God has given us... and in this way, we grow out of our Lenten experiences of abstainance/restraint...
More personally, restraining myself helps me to appreciate the gift more deeply. But that's just me (others may find something else more beneficial). Going without salt in my food makes me enjoy it all the more! Imagine deliberately closing your eyes for a whole working day, feeling your way around...and then been given the gift of sight again! Grow in appreciation and gratitude - Rus thinks that's the key :)
I deeply appreciate your thoughts and the time you take to add to the blog, Candice.
Thanks Rus! That definately puts it into perspective. Perhaps the more involved I get in my Lenten practices, the deeper I start to think about God and what he did for us. Perhaps that is what I will be taking from Lent. The commitment to spend more time thinking about God, talking to God and greater appreciation of the things he has given us. I will use these chats to inspire me to live more like Christ and find deeper meaning and gratitude in everyday things. Thank you
ReplyDeleteThat is certainly a very noble thing to take out of your Lenten practices and into your daily life - committing to spend more time with God and deepening your appreciation for all that God has given us. Thank you again for your wonderful mind and heart. You have added enormously to this blog. Sincerely, Rus
ReplyDelete