LENT'S JOURNEY TO LOVE

So many paths, so many ways to go. This Lent I am simply trying to listen for God's voice and follow. It isn't easy. Have you noticed, if Someone says, "rejoice again I say rejoice, let your gentleness be evident to all, " Philippians 4:4-5 that all harshness in you is  revealed. We call it "chippy" here, a kind of brittle, harpish response to the most innocent of requests.

Or He will lob another one at me, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other." Ephesians 4:32 Then comes the real guilt-kicker, "Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy." 1 Peter 1:16 The key seems to be with whom am I walking? It is almost as if God takes me by the hand and saying:

Now, Child, let's get a few things straight:
 You forgive because I forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
 You are gentle, for you know I am always near. Philippians 4:4-5
You are holy because I who call you am holy. 1 Peter 1:16 

We follow a God who loves us, and holiness comes as I walk in obedience and great love of Him, almost as if I become like Him because I spend so much time with Him! My heart is emptied of sin and chippiness as I love and obey, obey and love. "Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have a sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply from the heart." Ephesians 4:22 From the depths of my heart's purity flows love.

How are you living and loving these Lenten days?

Medicine from Sacred Writings:

"Grace of soul is supplied out of our own moral choice... 
the beauty of the soul proceeds from obedience to God." 

John Chrysostom   Fourth Century