Path to Freedom

It’s Ash Wednesday.

This brings up questions in our house.  Mainly, do we have to go to church? Do we have to keep the ashes on?  I don’t like that we can’t see what they look like…sometimes it’s too smudgy.

And…Why can’t we eat meat?  Why do I have to give something up?  Can I give up vegetables? Kids don’t need to fast, right mom? What is Fat Tuesday? When is Spring Break?

My point is…they are not always focused on the meaning of Lent.  Frankly, neither am I.  It’s tough.  It’s long.  It’s dark.

Lent asks something of us and that is not always comfortable.

Lent asks us to get out of our own way.

Lent asks us to free up space for God to come into our hearts and our homes and love us.

I want that.  I want His love.

It’s just that sometimes I’m just too busy.  Or tired. Or distracted.

I get in the way.

At our faith sharing group last week we talked about the passage in Bible – Mark 10:17-27.

¹⁷ As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

 

¹⁸ “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’^[a]”

 

²⁰ “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

 

²¹ Jesus looked at him and loved him.

“One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

 

²² At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

 

I know, this is a toughy.

But here’s the beautiful, amazing, awesome thing about this passage.  The part where it says,  JESUS LOOKED AND HIM AND LOVED HIM.  Jesus loved him.  That’s why He told him what was in the way.  That’s why Jesus gave him guidance.

He wasn’t telling him to give up his money to punish him.  He was bringing awareness to the thing that was in the way.  He told him to give it up because He loved him and He knew that giving up his wealth would lead him to freedom.

He loves you too.

What’s in the way for you?

If you don’t know, ask Him.  And then listen.  Even when it’s really hard.  Even if He asks you to give up something.  Even if it makes you sad and scared and unsure if you can do it.  Even if you love that thing and you think your whole life depends on that thing.  Even if you believe that thing defines you.  Even if you know that giving up that thing will change you.  Especially then.

Let Him change you.

That’s what Lent is all about.

 

I’m excited to introduce you to my new internet friend, Margaret Feinberg.  I found her on the list of “50 Women You Should Know” in Christianity Today magazine.  (Fancy, right?) I started following her on Facebook and reading her writing.  I love her new book Wonderstruck.  She is full of joy and gratitude!  Imagine my amazement when I saw that she has posted comments on a couple of my blog entries!  I am so excited about this and grateful and honored and blessed!  Thank you Margaret!

Margaret has a great idea for Lent – we are going to read the entire Bible!  I know…super scary but I’m in! Will you join us?  Here’s the link.  http://margaretfeinberg.com/the-40-day-bible-reading-challenge-begins-today-dont-miss-out-on-the-wonder-of-scripture/

Let’s start today!

©2013 Sue Bidstrup, Great Big Yes™ All Rights Reserved