Take up your cross

Luke 9 : 22 - 25

I was really pleased that my church observes Ash Wednesday and we had a service on Wednesday night. It was a traditional service with Scripture readings. prayers and a sermon, interspersed with hymns. The placing of ashes on our foreheads was practiced as well - not to be removed until we reached home!! I guess most people went straight home, though I took a 'risk' and went to the petrol station on the way back (it was night so maybe they didn't see my forehead too clearly!!)

We were reminded that Lent is a time to "return to the Lord" - yet it is never an exercise in our own strength. We should desire to renew our faith, yet any spiritual formation starts with the Lord - in his loving mercy he calls, he forgives and empowers.

How important to get this principle the right way round. The readings during Lent are very challenging and unless we remember that spiritual renewal starts and ends with God, we may either minimize/neutralize the challenge or beat ourselves up for not measuring up.

Taking up our cross - losing our life for the Lord's sake.....challenge our assumptions of what is most profitable and worthwhile in life. Societal values determine how we spend our time and money and unless we intentionally question those values - it would seem there is no way people will say of us "amazing - look at how the Christians live".

"Lord Jesus, I give you my hands to do your work. I give you my feet to go our way. I give you my eyes to see as you do. I give you my tongue to speak your words. I give you my mind that you may think in me. I give you my spirit that you may pray in me. Above all, I give you my heart that you may love in me, your Father, and all mankind. I give you my whole self that you may grow in me, so that it is you, Lord Jesus, who live and work and pray in me." (Prayer from The Grail)