As we enter this season of
Lent, a time of preparation through fasting, repentance, reflection, and
drawing nearer to and becoming more like Jesus the Christ – let us do so with
total surrender.
Think of Jesus, in preparing
to descend from the heavenly comforts of perpetual peace to enter this earthly world
and live amid constant chaos.
Jesus makes a conscious choice to look the part because walking on earth he would be both fully human and fully divine. Philippians 2:6-7, reminds us that Jesus intentionally purges himself “….though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”
Jesus makes a conscious choice to look the part because walking on earth he would be both fully human and fully divine. Philippians 2:6-7, reminds us that Jesus intentionally purges himself “….though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”
In striving to become more
like Christ, ours is a heavenward ascension, if we are to live and look the part of Christians,
we need to become proficient in emptying
and separating ourselves from sin and earthly (creature) comforts. Lent is a time of intentionality and focus whereby we (re)commit to practice, embrace and develop the disciplines which strengthen our likeness
to Jesus.
While we can't earn our salvation or relationship with God through any deeds, we can deepen and strengthen our relationship with God by emptying ourselves through – fasting, praying, repentance, worship, studying scripture, serving others, stewardship and holy communion. Through these acts of emptying ourselves God continues to shape and mold us in his likeness.
Have you ever tried to cut a child’s hair who is distracted and bent on constant movement? The result is hair with crooked lines, chunks of missing hair, uneven hair and a sense of recklessness. When we refuse to empty ourselves, our spiritual lives become like this child’s hair – crooked, chunks missing, uneven and reckless.
Emptying ourselves will be different for each of us but the purpose
of sacrifice and surrender is the same.
While we can't earn our salvation or relationship with God through any deeds, we can deepen and strengthen our relationship with God by emptying ourselves through – fasting, praying, repentance, worship, studying scripture, serving others, stewardship and holy communion. Through these acts of emptying ourselves God continues to shape and mold us in his likeness.
Have you ever tried to cut a child’s hair who is distracted and bent on constant movement? The result is hair with crooked lines, chunks of missing hair, uneven hair and a sense of recklessness. When we refuse to empty ourselves, our spiritual lives become like this child’s hair – crooked, chunks missing, uneven and reckless.
During this season of Lent,
may we make our goal to be more like Jesus, if so, "you and I must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had”, we
must empty ourselves and humble ourselves before God and allow God to refill
and fashion us according to His divine purpose and will.
When we choose to empty ourselves, we communicate
to God
our willingness to sit still in complete surrender.
Will you slow down and take the time to
fast, pray, repent, worship, study scripture, serve others, receive Holy
Communion, practice good stewardship - and experience how God shapes you in
His likeness?
--
INSPIRED BY LOVE,
Pastor
Marcus J. Singleton
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