A ROUGH LENT

Roughed in. Wires, walls and plumbing are all in place as we continue with the plan for our bathroom remodel. God has plans, though we don't always understand, He promises, "I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 This isn't prosperity gospel preaching, nor is it obsolete Old Testament adage inapplicable to our lives. It is God's desire.

God desires to bless, encourage, to lift up and strengthen; when life or people crush the hope God plants deeply within, we can be sure it's the hand of the enemy. Jesus says, "The thief comes only to steal, and kill and destroy; I have come that you might have life and life abundant." John 10:10 Yet knowing His heart for us requires silencing passions, vices and voices, including our own, that we might hear Him. This is Lent.

God holds blueprints in His hands; we can draw close and ask: "This? Did you intend this? How am I to build here, what supplies do You have for Me?" Lent is to loose our souls from our attachments in order to hear the Good Shepherd's voice. Accepting His knowledge of me, I can relax and, with His grace, begin to know myself, His deep love for me and His call on my life: to be His, a child of the Father, loved with an everlasting love and called to live in love, remain in love and love, even in rough places.

Medicine from Sacred Writing: 

"And I will be to you a Father, and you shall be to Me sons and daughters," says the Lord. See how from the beginning the prophet fore-announced our present high birth, the regeneration by grace? "Having therefore these promises, beloved." What promises? That we should be temples of God, sons and daughters, have Him dwelling and walking in us, be His people and have Him for our God and Father."

John Chrysostom   Fourth Century