POLITICAL LENT

The Wall Street Journal this morning spoke of the harsh winter harming gardens. Can this matter in a world where Russia annexed Crimea and a mudslide has devastated a small town near Seattle? It matters. One can only face the world and the tragedy and joy of it with the strength and beauty of one's own soul. I am, in a sense, captain of my own ship, and swear allegiance to God and, in this season of Lent, remove from my boat all that is not under His reign.

On the Ukrainian minesweeper, Cherkassy, on Donuzlav Lake, men made choices of allegiance and, regardless of personal politics, there are lessons to learn. Watching other vessels being sunk, their way blocked, and a stand-off impending, the captain of the ship ordered a dozen sailors to disembark. Their commitment wavered. Trapped in this world, with its insane joy and heart-wrenching tragedy we are asked, "What is your loyalty: to self, sin and pleasing the world and others, or to God, holiness, doing His will?"

 

Flowers come, even in Crimea; the captain and fellow officers stayed on the Cherkassy, flying their flag till morn, then they disembarked. Do we have the courage to throw from our vessel all that does not cry, "Holy, holy, holy," within us. The damage of winter will be pruned, one way or another, we will cut off what does not bear fruit in us, or He will. John 15:1, 2

May pruning of the unholy in us be at His bidding, and for His glory.

Medicine from Sacred Writing:

"So too must we show our will; for we also sail a voyage, not from land to land, but from earth to heaven. Let us so order our reason, that it be serviceable to steer our upward course, and our sailors that they be obedient to it, and let our vessel be stout that it be not swamped amidst the reverses and despondencies of this life, nor be lifted up by the blasts of vainglory, but be a fast and easy vessel."

John Chrysostom    Fourth Century