Once again, my father is making an appearance today to share with us a few thoughts from his Lenten journey. In doing so, he asks us to consider our own pilgrimages to the cross this year. I pray you are blessed by his words, even more so challenged by them: to walk deeply with Jesus, think thoughtfully about Jesus, and apply willingly the truth He reveals about himself on the road to Calvary. There are gifts to be found along the way and as we go. Here are a few…
In the desert we are free of distractions. We are reduced to the bare necessities of existence; survival is our only quest. And we soon discover that all the distractions that once claimed our attention have become, in fact, our bondage. This awakening is the first gift of the desert. And like the children of Israel in the wilderness, we must make a choice: either to return to Egypt with its slavery and comfortable idols, or strike out boldly into the unknown for the sake of a promise given, yet unrealized.
And if that is done, it won’t be long until we discover the second gift of the desert—we leave behind our false selves and get a glimpse of our true self-image; that is, we see ourselves as God sees us—the beginning of the person God always intended us to be—the persons we always hoped to be!
The third gift of the desert is community. In community we will find courage to admit our vulnerability and weakness, and we will discover a wisdom and strength for one another we never knew by ourselves. Community will teach us that we move ahead together or not at all. In community we will be surprised to learn that the things we thought would bring frustration and anxiety are, in fact, our very salvation.
The best part of the desert, the uncharted part of Lent, is all about receiving gifts: gifts of freedom, of knowing who we are and that we are not alone. Blessed be God who every year gives us 40 days to rediscover these healing and transforming gifts for ourselves and one another. The desert can end up being the most giving place we have ever been. We can make a choice: to return to the distractions of our bondage, or to be free!
Open our eyes and our hearts, Lord, to see and to receive the many gifts you have for us as we travel this desert road together. Amen.
Praise God for His precious gifts.
Amen!
Having recently gone through a difficult desert season, I would have to say that I've found all three of the gifts my father referred to, but none more so than the gift of "awakening." as I've said before, desert places are lonely spaces in the sense that as we travel through them, we become keenly aware of what's important. Our focus is more clear. Never before have I been freer from distraction than when I was in the midst of treatment, hunkered down and pushing through. I was just commenting to my husband last evening that it wasn't too long before all the distractions came back around to interrupt and fill-up my mind. And while I don't relish the idea of ever revisiting that particular desert, I do miss the freedom from distraction that I felt while living there.
Anybody else found a gift or two in the desert?
I just finished reading a work of fiction, based on truth about Caleb and his walk through the desert. I found myself relating. This devotional spoke to me in a very special way as well.
Thank you for sharing.
in this season, the gift of community is precious to me. i'm thankful that God knew we'd need one another and that it's ok. "We weep with those who weep, rejoice with those who rejoice."
Great message, Dad!!
Gifts in the desert. Yes, just this last week I found one. I suppose it would be in the area of community that your father talked about. I reached out to many people for prayers for a health concern that I had. I was truly humbled by the outpouring of friendship and love on my behalf.
So, I learned that not only does God give me HIS sure presence in the desert, He also brings other sojourners alongside.
GOD BLESS!
We are in the midst of the desert in our church…praying we all will have an awakening to press forward in the days ahead. We all (myself included) need to see our self-images clearly, joining together as a community – a family.
A great post…lots for me to ponder.
Oh Elaine, I am so glad you had your father share with us. I needed to read this. As you know, I am once again in the midst of moving. And this time I am going to an 860 square foot condo. I feel like I'm going through another pruning process and leaving behind more possessions. But these words helped me. Yesterday was a difficult day as the realization hit me. We are painting and laying down tile from Home Depot instead of marble. But this isn't our real home. And just maybe this pruning process is what I really needed. Getting rid of 'stuff' and focusing on what's really important during these days may be just the Lord has in mind for me.
blessings and love,
Debbie
wifeforthejourney:
Cannot begin to number how good it has been to have your dad along for our journey.
There are still discoveries to make and gifts to receive in this Lenten desert. I continue to carry a burden this year, my own, for our family and for our church. While I know I am in good company, lately I have felt alone….So this morning I am grateful for your words, and for Chuck's "wake-up-call."
Love,
Billy