Roy’s Ramblings

When I was in High School a number of my friends were practicing Roman Catholics…most of us who know any Catholics know what that means for the Lenten season: fish on Fridays, Mass on Sundays, and the Lenten sacrificial fast—whatever that might mean. For most of my friends their sacrificial fast was soda pop or candy, fast food, some gave up television and a few gave up their cars or stereos—but it was always an only for Lent sort of sacrifice. As a High School student I wasn’t really into exploring religion, particularly anything different than the United Methodist tradition in which I had been raised. But, as a senior I embraced the Lenten sacrificial fast of my Roman Catholic friends. I decided to give up my very favorite food…Pizza.

It seemed reasonable, since it was only until Easter, and, Heck – maybe I could save a few bucks along the way. I did very well, in fact, as with many modern day, teenage Lenten fasts, it wasn’t that much of a sacrifice. And I almost made it until Easter. Except that Spring Break happened and a bunch of my buddies wanted to go to a movie and Pizza Hut. Well, that whole fast thing … yeah … out the window. That was my first experience of a personal Lenten fast. Since then, over the years, I have given up soda pop, meat, fast food, coffee (that one about killed me), and cursing. I have done a reverse fast where I added daily guided-prayer, daily exercise, extended prayer, and reading the entire Bible. What I have found, no matter the subtraction or addition in my choice of Lenten disciplines, practice is not nearly as important and intention. In my first Lenten fast and in most since, I have had a heart, mind, and spirit of good intention. This is the bottom line. Where is your heart? What is your intention?

In Joel’s prophecy (Joel 2:1-2, 12-17) we are reminded of the pending judgment God has for all people. Joel proclaims the day of the Lord is near. And the day of the Lord is a Day of Judgment and salvation, a day in which our hearts, minds and spirits will be tested. Lent is a time of preparation, preparation for the salvation of humanity, preparation for the Day of the Lord. It isn’t simply a time of giving up or adding to so that we have the outward signs of faith. It isn’t simply a time to consider our sins or failings or shortcomings. No, Lent is not about fasting—it is about the heart and mind and spirit of all that we do. The people of God will be set apart, not by their displays of humility and observance, but by the condition in which their hearts, minds and spirits approach the judgment of God, the Day of our Lord.

• Prepare the way of the Lord within your Heart today. Release your sorrow, regret and mourning.
• Prepare the way of the Lord within your mind today. Release your anger, hatred and judgment for others.
• Prepare the way of the Lord within your spirit today. Release the disappointment, dissatisfaction and sin within you.

Prepare the way of the Lord, not through outward displays, but through the inward and spiritual grace God offers to all who will repent and seek reconciliation of human heart to divine grace. Repent, Receive and be Reconciled through the grace of God which mends even the most broken of hearts.

From Dust We Came – To Dust We Shall Return – Repent and Believe the Gospel

Blessings – Pastor Roy