"The Bible’s aim is not the freeing of the spirit from the world, as I read it. It is the handbook of their interaction." - Wendell Berry
I think that a lot of people seek to become Christians because of Christianity's high-profile destination. We get to go to HEAVEN when we die! Can you imagine it? I can, I suppose, but only in the "streets of gold, St. Peter at the pearly gates" mentality that I learned in Sunday School when I was young.
The thing is, though, that we, as Christians, often get too wrapped up in our final destination. If I can interpret what Mr. Berry says in the quote above, it's that we shouldn't be Christians just so we can get to heaven. Instead, we should follow the example of Christ in all of our interactions on Earth in an effort to bring his love and way of life to others. How can we expect to be showered with the blessings of heaven if we make no effort at displaying heavenly virtues as prescribed by Christ to others while we're here?
Being a Christian CAN'T just be about the destination. It HAS to be about the journey. And at some point along our journey, we must learn to be exemplars of the grace of God, as affirmed in the teachings, attitudes, suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. If that's not the way we strive to act all the time, then any discussion about our final destination is probably moot.
Dear God, help me to continually become the best person I can be along my life's journey. Let me always keep in mind the teachings and examples you set for all of us through the life of Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Monday, February 27, 2012
My Lenten Journey 2
Mark 8:31-37 (The Message)
30-32 Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. He then began explaining things to them: "It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive." He said this simply and clearly so they couldn't miss it.
32-33 But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. "Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works."
34-37 Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?"
This is the first of a set of scripture readings from "Journey to Hope," a sort of Lenten devotional and sermon series available at http://www.gbod.org/. It is taken from a version of the Bible called "The Message," which seems to be a more modern, but perhaps less literal, translation.
Here is what these verses mean to me, in terms of Lent.
"Journey to Hope" asks people to look at Lent as a journey (obviously). Most of the time, when I travel on journeys with my wife, we have our ending destination in mind. There may be an occasional "let's just get in the car and drive" kind of trip but, for the most part, when we get in the car, we know exactly where we are going. We are both on the same page when it comes to the final destination. We don't always agree, however, on how it is that we're going to get there. My preferred routes tend to be more circuitous, while my wife more often wants the shortest, fastest way from point A to point B. When we're truly far apart on how we're going to journey to a certain place, conflict often arises.
In a sense, I think that's what's happening here between Peter and Jesus. Peter had bought into Jesus' journey in terms of his final destination - sitting at the right hand of God the Father. But Peter didn't like the roads that Jesus was planning on traveling in order to get there. Jesus then rebuked Peter, telling him that he wasn't in the driver's seat, Jesus was. "Don't run from suffering," Jesus said. "Embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how." Jesus went on to tell Peter that self-sacrifice was the way to save "your true self."
My Lenten journey will be (I hope) one of self-sacrifice. In so doing, I pray that I find my true self and more about the mission that God has for me here on Earth.
God, please help me keep you in the driver's seat during this Lenten time and beyond. May you take me along the right paths so that I can find and save my true self. AMEN.
30-32 Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. He then began explaining things to them: "It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive." He said this simply and clearly so they couldn't miss it.
32-33 But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. "Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works."
34-37 Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?"
This is the first of a set of scripture readings from "Journey to Hope," a sort of Lenten devotional and sermon series available at http://www.gbod.org/. It is taken from a version of the Bible called "The Message," which seems to be a more modern, but perhaps less literal, translation.
Here is what these verses mean to me, in terms of Lent.
"Journey to Hope" asks people to look at Lent as a journey (obviously). Most of the time, when I travel on journeys with my wife, we have our ending destination in mind. There may be an occasional "let's just get in the car and drive" kind of trip but, for the most part, when we get in the car, we know exactly where we are going. We are both on the same page when it comes to the final destination. We don't always agree, however, on how it is that we're going to get there. My preferred routes tend to be more circuitous, while my wife more often wants the shortest, fastest way from point A to point B. When we're truly far apart on how we're going to journey to a certain place, conflict often arises.
In a sense, I think that's what's happening here between Peter and Jesus. Peter had bought into Jesus' journey in terms of his final destination - sitting at the right hand of God the Father. But Peter didn't like the roads that Jesus was planning on traveling in order to get there. Jesus then rebuked Peter, telling him that he wasn't in the driver's seat, Jesus was. "Don't run from suffering," Jesus said. "Embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how." Jesus went on to tell Peter that self-sacrifice was the way to save "your true self."
My Lenten journey will be (I hope) one of self-sacrifice. In so doing, I pray that I find my true self and more about the mission that God has for me here on Earth.
God, please help me keep you in the driver's seat during this Lenten time and beyond. May you take me along the right paths so that I can find and save my true self. AMEN.
My Lenten Journey
I have decided that I am going to blog my journey of discovery during Lent this year. The model that I am going to use for my blogging is called "Journey to Hope," and it is available from the General Board of Discipleship Website of the United Methodist Church - www. gbod.org.
First, a few things regarding Lent from that fount of information, Wikipedia.
Thanks, Wikipedia...
So, Lent is really a time for us to journey back to God by getting rid of all of the stuff that weighs us down – sin, sadness, strife, heartbreak, anger, hate, inadequacy, fear – and replacing those things with things that enrich our souls.
What are those things which enrich our souls – that bring our souls closer to God? Right now, I'm not 100% sure. Those answers come from this Lenten journey of self-discovery that I hope to undertake in these next 40-plus days.
As I understand it, then, Lent is a time where we give up something we feel is necessary in our lives, but really isn't. The absence of this thing creates a desire, a want, a hole, if you will. We should then fill this hole created by the absence of a worldy comfort with something that is of or from God - i.e. scripture reading, prayer, doing a "good work," etc.
So - what am I going to give up? We're five days into Lent already and I haven't truly decided. Here's how I think it's going to go. I'm going to try and give up lunch. I did that last year and was reasonably successful with it, in that I did not eat my noon meal much, if at all, throughout Lent. But, in the end, my "sacrifice" wasn't really about coming closer to God, it was about me being too chubby and using Lent as an excuse to go on a "God-sponsored diet." I hope that it's not about that this year. To try and ensure the fidelity of my Lenten experience, I need to make sure to fill the hole that I've created with Godly things. So, during the time I would normally take for lunch, I am going to spend time reading the Bible, reading devotionals, reading things that others are doing during Lent, praying and, at least on occasion, writing on this blog.
Dear God, please be with me during these 40+ days of Lent. May I come closer to you by removing myself, if only a small bit, from the ways of the world. May I come to a better understanding of who am I through you, and may I come closer to understanding and accomplishing the ultimate mission you have for me on this earth, whatever it may be. Thank you for loving me and thank you for the blessings you have allowed to come into my life. May this Lenten time be a blessing to you as well as to me. AMEN.
First, a few things regarding Lent from that fount of information, Wikipedia.
When does Lent begin?
Lent begins 40 days prior to Easter (not counting Sundays). The first day of Lent is Ash Wednesday. The 40 days is significant, as it commemorates the 40 days Jesus fasted in the desert and the 40 years the Israelites spent roaming in the desert prior to entering the Holy Land. Since Sundays are a time of celebration representing the resurrection in Christianity, they are not included in the 40 days.
Lent begins 40 days prior to Easter (not counting Sundays). The first day of Lent is Ash Wednesday. The 40 days is significant, as it commemorates the 40 days Jesus fasted in the desert and the 40 years the Israelites spent roaming in the desert prior to entering the Holy Land. Since Sundays are a time of celebration representing the resurrection in Christianity, they are not included in the 40 days.
When does Lent end?
Lent Ends the day before Easter Sunday, also known as Holy Saturday. Palm Sunday marks the last week of Lent and commemorates the day Jesus entered Jerusalem to people laying palms at his feet. However, Roman Catholics end Lent at sundown on Holy Thursday when the Mass of the Lord's Supper begins.
Lent Ends the day before Easter Sunday, also known as Holy Saturday. Palm Sunday marks the last week of Lent and commemorates the day Jesus entered Jerusalem to people laying palms at his feet. However, Roman Catholics end Lent at sundown on Holy Thursday when the Mass of the Lord's Supper begins.
How is Lent celebrated?
Two things occur during Lent - fasting and prayer. It used to be that fasting was the giving up of food, but today many Christians give up other items such as television or the Internet. Orthodox Christians give up both meat and dairy products during Lent. The fasting is used to remind Christians of the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert fasting and being tempted by Satan.
Two things occur during Lent - fasting and prayer. It used to be that fasting was the giving up of food, but today many Christians give up other items such as television or the Internet. Orthodox Christians give up both meat and dairy products during Lent. The fasting is used to remind Christians of the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert fasting and being tempted by Satan.
Thanks, Wikipedia...
So, Lent is really a time for us to journey back to God by getting rid of all of the stuff that weighs us down – sin, sadness, strife, heartbreak, anger, hate, inadequacy, fear – and replacing those things with things that enrich our souls.
What are those things which enrich our souls – that bring our souls closer to God? Right now, I'm not 100% sure. Those answers come from this Lenten journey of self-discovery that I hope to undertake in these next 40-plus days.
As I understand it, then, Lent is a time where we give up something we feel is necessary in our lives, but really isn't. The absence of this thing creates a desire, a want, a hole, if you will. We should then fill this hole created by the absence of a worldy comfort with something that is of or from God - i.e. scripture reading, prayer, doing a "good work," etc.
So - what am I going to give up? We're five days into Lent already and I haven't truly decided. Here's how I think it's going to go. I'm going to try and give up lunch. I did that last year and was reasonably successful with it, in that I did not eat my noon meal much, if at all, throughout Lent. But, in the end, my "sacrifice" wasn't really about coming closer to God, it was about me being too chubby and using Lent as an excuse to go on a "God-sponsored diet." I hope that it's not about that this year. To try and ensure the fidelity of my Lenten experience, I need to make sure to fill the hole that I've created with Godly things. So, during the time I would normally take for lunch, I am going to spend time reading the Bible, reading devotionals, reading things that others are doing during Lent, praying and, at least on occasion, writing on this blog.
Dear God, please be with me during these 40+ days of Lent. May I come closer to you by removing myself, if only a small bit, from the ways of the world. May I come to a better understanding of who am I through you, and may I come closer to understanding and accomplishing the ultimate mission you have for me on this earth, whatever it may be. Thank you for loving me and thank you for the blessings you have allowed to come into my life. May this Lenten time be a blessing to you as well as to me. AMEN.
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