beWARM

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

In your presence there is fullness of joy. ~Psalm 16:11

The Lenten 40, Day 33

When was the last time you heard someone say, “Im so full!”?  Most likely, the comment was made regrettably at the end of  a huge meal – or after downing a rich and formidably sized dessert.

We are so fortunate to live in the land of plenty. And yet, we are never totally satisfied with our lives, always searching for something more.

Why do we feel so empty when we have so much?

This week’s readings in 40 Days to a Closer Walk With God  encourage us to find abundance in our centering prayer time with the Lord.  Each day’s Scripture reference makes it clear:

Day 29  Walk in newness of life. ~Romans 6:4

Day 30  Rejoice always, pray without ceasing. ~1Thessalonians 5:16-17

Day 31  O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you. ~Psalm 63:1

Day 32   I love you. ~John 21:17

During this Lenten journey of stillness and contemplation, we are encouraged to be exquisitely aware of God’s presence in all things and all people – at each and every moment of our day.  Keeping Christ at the center of our lives, the ordinary becomes sacred.

As we empty ourselves in quiet prayer, we make room for Him to enter – and He begins to transform us from within. God never stops yearning for us to turn to Him!

Muyskens writes,  If Christ is your copilot, try changing seats. Once we give our consent, we enter into a new way of life.

I believe that everyone is seeking fulfillment – and would  welcome a “filling station” that would provide direction for their restless spirits.

Sitting with God every day satisfies our thirst, refreshing our souls with His generous love.

Imagine how different our days would be if we had our cups filled by Christ first thing in the morning. ~Beth Moore

Wouldn’t it be fabulous to one day be able to say, “I’m so full…of joy!”  No regrets here…only the deep satisfaction and peace that come from a commitment to walk with God.

If you haven’t tried being present to God, even for a few minutes each day, now is the time.

Our ravenous appetites are fully satisfied by Him…

Today’s Lectio  – Psalm 16

My Word – REFUGE  MyPhrase – YOU MAKE KNOWN TO ME THE PATH OF LIFE

My people have…forsaken me, the fountain of living water. ~Jeremiah 2:13

The Lenten 40, Day 20

We have reached the halfway mark of our Lenten journey – and God has led me into a silent wilderness.

My daily times of Centering Prayer have been focusing on feelings rather than words. I have found this quiet space to be both healing and enlightening, even carrying this paucity of verbiage into my days.

I must be truthful; when I began, beWarm, I vowed that I wouldn’t pressure myself to write unless the Holy Spirit inspired me. At the start of  this Lenten study, the posts were frequent. Walking and writing through the days of Lent was a casual stroll.

And then…the idea flow came to a grinding halt…and I sat in the vacuum.

…wondering what happened

…feeling guilty for not writing something

…questioning my reasons for starting this Lenten study in the first place

After a while, the realization hit.  God had a purpose for this time of emptiness, this verbal desert.

My thirsty soul needed a stiff drink from His Word and His Presence, the Fountain of all life, the Source of all Peace. I began to rest, knowing that giving God this time of quiet prayer would bring refreshment to my weary mind.

And, as always, He did not disappoint.

Think of a moment where you have been sitting by a body of water, be it an ocean, a river, or a cool mountain stream. Imagine hearing the water rushing by, the waves splashing on the shore. Feel the moisture in the air.

Let anyone who is thirsty come to me. ~John 7:37

Muyskens writes that we all need to receive God’s “fresh flowing streams of grace”. He continues: “Prayer can be like descending into a deep well….Actually divine light penetrates this place that seems so dark. We are bathed in the pure light of Christ….In the deep darkness of surrender, we are enlightened.”

When it feels as if we are in that place of obscurity, of unknowing, let’s trust that God has His reasons for putting us there.  Let us be confident in the void…knowing that evidence of His “watering” will inevitably bear fruit.

Whether it be an imperceptible trickle or a crashing flood – the wellspring of God’s love is ever-present, ready and waiting for us to imbibe.

Thirsting souls, drink up.

Today’s Lectio:  Jeremiah 2:4-7,13

My Word: BARREN  My Phrase: INTO A FERTILE LAND

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Past Days Lectios, and Weekend Lectios (with my apologies!)

Day 17

Philippians 4:4-7

My Word – GENTLENESS  My Phrase – THE PEACE OF GOD

Day 18

Romans 8:26-27

My Word – CONFORMED  My Phrase – ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE

Day 19

1 Kings 19:11-15

My Word – WHISPER  My Phrase – THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME TO HIM

Day 21

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Day 22

Exodus 33:12-14

Day 23

Romans 8:9-11

There is need of only one thing. ~Luke 10:41

The Lenten 40, Day 14

Reflecting on Martha and Mary and their respective approaches to Jesus continues to be a wake-up call for me.  Try as I might, I still lean heavily on the side of Martha-ness. 

Most of us are familiar with the story: Martha and Mary are sisters who Jesus visits.  Mary sits at the feet of Jesus, enjoying His company, while Martha busies herself with kitchen duties – and gripes that her sister isn’t helping.

Jesus tells Martha that Mary has chosen what is important. Scripture doesn’t mention her reaction to His words, but I could imagine that Martha’s initial response would be one of surprise.

How could Jesus not appreciate all of her hospitality?  She had spent hours cleaning and cooking for Him! And there is Mary, sitting still, oblivious to the fact that Martha would have welcomed a little assistance.

Like Martha, I do enjoy entertaining. But it is easy to get caught up in the details and overlook what is really important – simply enjoying the company of your guests. Over the years, God has helped me become much more relaxed about hosting.

But, embarrassingly, I have had occasional Martha moments, feeling resentful about being the one stuck in the kitchen when I would rather be relaxing and socializing. (Please forgive me, Lord.)

God so wants more Mary time with me – and of late, I have a greater desire to be with Him.

Centering Prayer gives me the pleasure of sitting at Jesus’ feet, doing nothing other than soaking in His presence.

Today we were asked to imagine what Jesus might say to us while we were with Him.  What I heard was, “Rest in Me more….Busy yourself less”.

Dear Lord, I keep trying. Thank you for continuing to remind me that my “doing”  is not as important as my “being”.

I think that our inner Martha-ism  will never stop vying  for our attention; but, God will always keep stirring the idea that Mary-ness is what He truly values.

Hopefully, our great divide will point us more in Mary’s direction.

Today’s Lectio: Luke 10:38-42

My Word – DISTRACTED  My Phrase – SAT AT THE LORD’S FEET LISTENING TO WHAT HE SAID

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Weekend Links

The Lenten 40, Day 15

Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! ~Luke 18:38

Today’s Lectio – Luke 18:35-43

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The Lenten 40, Day 16

Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God. ~Matthew 5:8

Today’s Lectio – Matthew 5:3–10