Lent is a time of reflection, meditation, sacrifice, and repentance. As we come to worship each week, we acknowledge the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We also kneel in prayer to receive the grace of the Almighty God. We recognize our need for forgiveness and mercy. We are challenged to give up our selfishness in order to pursue God’s will for our lives.
Often we choose to give up habits or material items in order to bring us closer to God and allow us to focus our time, energy, and thoughts on spiritual things. These are all very meaningful ways to lay our hearts and minds before God.
However, I was recently reminded how easy it can be to give up things that really are trivial. A friend told me he was willing to give up fruits or vegetables. Another said he would gladly give up doing the laundry. And one more said he would give up raking leaves. While all teasing, it reminded me how quickly we will give away the things we already do not want to do, and how hard it is to really look introspectively at our selfish desires.
I believe God asks us to give up even greater burdens, like guilt over the past and over bad decisions, or mistakes that we have made. God wants us to let go of bitterness or resentment toward family members or friends for words or actions that were hurtful. God invites us to let go of the things that keep our hearts and minds from focusing on our spiritual growth.
These are the burdens that hinder us from being the whole persons God created us to be. When we are weighed down by the past or too easily distracted by our present occupations, we can easily miss what God has placed in front of us. When we focus our thoughts on these aspects of life, we are unable to experience the fullness of life found in Christ.
This year, I will probably give up something such as chocolate or caffeine. But I also pray that you will join me in examining our hearts and let God’s offer of healing take away guilt, bitterness, resentment, jealousy, or anger for good! God wants each of us to know His love, to receive His hope, and to live a meaningful life every day – starting right now!
Rev. Phil Greenwald, Executive Pastor of Administration
