Today, instead of reflecting on a passage, I am reflecting on my Lenten experience the past three weeks. I have always loved Lent, but haven’t always fully participated in it. Growing up in a tradition where anything about the church calendar or liturgy was completely foreign, I never understood the power of Lent. I always knew people who gave up chocolate or went to church more. But I just didn’t get the transformational aspect of Lent.
When I started researching Lent, it was enlightening to understand that many of our traditions arose in the early church as they prepared candidates for Baptism. In an effort to be prepared for their Easter baptism they would fast, pray, and study scripture. This year, coming into Lent I was really praying for transformation. I viewed it as an opportunity for spiritual breakthrough in my own life and preparation for the roads ahead. I feel like much of my life is preparing for transition right now. There are challenges both personally and professionally that are coming right soon. And to be honest I don’t know how prepared I feel for these challenges.
So for this season I have been trying to leave behind my own sin, the pain of the past, and my fears of the future, that Christ might breakthrough and transform my spirit. And somehow, in God’s mysterious way he has been doing exactly that. It has been small and subtle, and yet unmistakable. There have been battles for my soul, times of weakness, times of remarkable clarity, and God working through me. I just pray that over the next three weeks God can continue to break down the barriers of darkness I still fight in my inmost being and through the cleansing of his light renew my strength and set my path straight.
March 24, 2006 at 11:00 pm
You can play this song loud in your car and you will feel GOOD! Nice jamming guitar in there too. Of course, you’re already moving toward the peace and mind of Christ.
Peace of Mind-BOSTON
Now if you’re feelin’ kinda low ’bout the dues you’ve been paying
Future’s coming much too slow
And you wanna run but somehow you just keep on stayin’
Can’t decide on which way to go
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I understand about indecision
But I don’t care if I get behind
People livin’ in competition
All I want is to have my peace of mind.
Now you’re climbin’ to the top of the company ladder
Hope it doesn’t take too long
Can’tcha you see there’ll come a day when it won’t matter
Come a day when you’ll be gone
I understand about indecision
But I don’t care if I get behind
People li vin’ in competition
All I want is to have my peace of mind.
Take a look ahead, take a look ahead, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah…
Now everybody’s got advice they just keep on givin’
Doesn’t mean too much to me
Lot’s of people out to make-believe they’re livin’
Can’t decide who they should be.
I understand about indecision
But I don’t care if I get behind
People li vin’ in competition
All I want is to have my peace of mind.
Take a look ahead, take a look ahead. look ahead.
March 25, 2006 at 2:59 pm
Okay. Here’s another song for you. I wish I could sing. I’d like to sing it for you. I think I know a musician who could?? Hmmm… Anyway, you, Greg Arthur, are a gifted man. I think you’re very shiny. Your voice speaks of God. You helped to wake me up. I am forever thankful for you. Peace, friend. I love you.
Come Awake
Are we left here on our own?
Can you feel when your last breath is gone?
Night is waiting heavy now
Be quiet and wait for a voice that will say
Come awake
From sleep, arise
You were dead
You’ve come alive
Wake up wake up
Open your eyes
Climb from your grave
Into the light
Bring us back to life
You are not the only one
Who feels like the only one
Night soon will be lifted friend
Just be quiet and wait for the voice that will say
Come awake
From sleep, arise
You were dead
You’ve come alive
Wake up wake up
Open your eyes
Climb from your grave
Into the light
Bring us back to life
Rise, rise, rise, rise, rise
Rise, rise, rise, rise….
Shine, shine, Oh shine
We will shine
We will rise
We will shine, shine, shine