You have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self. ~Colossians 3:9-10
The Lenten 40, Day 38
Oh the promise of spring – the warm sun rousing earth from its winter sleep, baby buds peeking from tree branches…and all of us enjoying that glorious feeling of not having to wear heavy coats and socks any more.
Along with shedding those outer layers, we have been hauling away innumerable bags of excess “stuff” that we have accumulated as we prepare to move, the volume of which is a bit disconcerting.
Have we been that unmindful to have amassed such excess?
It certainly feels good to “unload”, lightening our moving day weigh-in and helping those in need – but this exercise also serves as a metaphor for what should be happening within.
The past few days of our Lenten devotion have focused on letting go of our expectations, surrendering to God…and finding new life in Christ. Centering Prayer is a vehicle we can use to walk along this path. Thomas Keating calls it “divine therapy.”
As our days revolve around determining what household goods are still necessary and useful, I have been taking stock of the nonessentials in my heart – those feelings that merely add excess weight and impede spiritual growth.
I don’t think anyone would really have any use for these cast-offs – but it sure feels good to acknowledge their presence…and vow to relinquish them.
It’s all about the freedom that results when we abandon the attitudes that stand in the way of our path to God.
Muyskens writes, When we surrender our lives to Christ, we have a new guide who leads us in the way of love. We enter a life of giving away the rich gifts that come to us instead of trying to hoard and control them. Our worst fears no longer take over our lives. They lose their power because we know that deeper than the greatest threats are the everlasting arms of mercy. The perfect love of Christ casts out fear.
...When we hold on to hatred, bitterness, shame or anxiety, it corrodes our souls. Healing comes as we let go of these negative emotions.
During this Holy Week, I have been reflecting on how Christ must have been feeling as His crucifixion neared. He stripped Himself of all divine power that could have saved Him from an agonizing death,surrendering in obedience to His Father, and giving up His life on earth.
And God made the ultimate sacrifice of His Son, all for us – so that our sins and excesses could be forgiven.
So that we could be saved and have eternal life.
In light of Christ’s sacrifice, our meager efforts in purging – internal and external – are relatively painless. At times, though, the process can feel endless…even discouraging.
It is during these moments when we need to take heart – and know that, underneath our many layers, we will find our true selves…
…created in the image and likeness of Christ.
Today’s Lectio: Colossians 3:5-15
My Word: FORGIVE My Phrase: BUT CHRIST IS ALL, AND IS IN ALL
beWARM 
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