40 days for a journey to bring us closer to God…
Many of us will be giving up something for Lent, I remember the one year I gave up all coffee drinks for Lent. Maybe not so hard, but the church I was attending worship at was a coffee shop… I felt that as others around me drank their coffee… Yet did it actually bring me closer to God?
You see that is the real question in what you give up or take on on this journey. Does this denial or extra act bring me closer to my maker, my creator? If the answer is no, then it will do you no good spiritually. Now it may help you lose weight or have a healthier life, if it is something like giving up chocolate, or caffeine, or carbonated beverages, or hamburger, or exercising more… There could be physical or mental pluses, but if it does not bring you closer to God, then it is not helpful spiritually…
That is where we intersect with Luke 18:9-14.
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
It is not about looking like you follow Jesus and are dead on the inside. We can not judge the motivations or the inside life of anyone other than ourselves….
What motivates you? Is it a love of being noticed for doing all of the right things like the Pharisee in Luke? Or are you truly repentant of your sins, so much so you can’t even look to heaven like the tax collector? Do you seek the exaltation of others, or are you truly devoted to Jesus and follow Him where he leads you?
As we start our 40 day journey of Lent, I invite you to look at your motivations and to do things thee 40 days that draw you closer to God, and allow Him to work in and through you and you will be amazed at what happens in your life…
aSacredRebel 