As I approach Lent I know that I want to experience God in a new way, a fresh way, a significant way. And what I want for myself, I want for my family, and my church friends and family. So I am thinking about preparing the way for God to visit me in a new way. Part of this week’s text is:
1Here begins the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.
2In the book of the prophet Isaiah, God said,
“Look, I am sending my messenger before you,
and he will prepare your way.
3 He is a voice shouting in the wilderness:
‘Prepare a pathway for the Lord’s coming!
Make a straight road for him!’”
4This messenger was John the Baptist. He lived in the wilderness and was preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had turned from their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. 5People from Jerusalem and from all over Judea traveled out into the wilderness to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. 6His clothes were woven from camel hair, and he wore a leather belt; his food was locusts and wild honey. 7He announced: “Someone is coming soon who is far greater than I am—so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave. 8I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!” Mark 1:1-8 NLT
Here’s what I need to do to prepare the way: First, drink coffee! I’m not going to lie to you and say that it’s in the original Greek of the text. It’s just that at 5:15 in the morning when I get up, I think coffee helps me “prepare the way.” Whatever puts you in the right frame of mind and heart—and it will be different for different people—I’d say go for it. As one of my elderly and wise parishioners used to say, “If it worketh, doeth it!” BTW—she’s drinking her coffee with Jesus in heaven now.
But the second and harder thing I see in preparing the way is the life-style of John the Baptizer. He lived a simple life stripped down to the essentials. I mean come on; locusts and wild honey? But he also called the people to come to him to hear the word of the Lord and to experience the new movement of God. Out of town, out of the usual, out into the desert was part of the preparation.
For me it is going to mean less TV, less news on my computer, less time in the usual stuff of my life. I’m not sure I like it, but I think it’s worth it. How about you? What do you think it will look like for you to “prepare the way of the Lord?”
Pastor Ken Lightcap
based on the book of Mark
The Lectio Divina Series from Nazarene Publishing House
Having four kids means I have to find a time when they will not be an interruption. I can't get up early in the morning with a clear head, so my routine tends to be not so much of routine. Each day brings a different set of circumstances for our family, so I trust that God will meet me when and where I can. Usually that is in my room in the burbundy chair with journal, Bible, No techno gadgets, and no pressing time constraints. One thing is for sure, I never regret the time I spend with the Lord each day. It keeps me going!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to be a long distance "Nallie;" to participate in the annual Lenten Series. I will be thinking and praying about what I need to simplify this season in order to prepare the way (the current snow storm will be helpful towards that end). And, I know exactly what you are saying "Lent."
ReplyDeleteIn a society of "Spiritual Sprinters" the Christian life requires us to be endurance runners. Lent is always the one season of each year that I can refocus on being in the Word every single day. For me, that's gonna mean making sure that I get my coffee & oatmeal with a side of Mark each morning. :-)
ReplyDeleteHow does one explain the process of Lent to kids and how life around home will be changing for awhile? If things go back to the same old-same old once Lent is over I suspect my kids will pick up on it and see the model as a short term only option.
ReplyDeleteWow, Role Model Parent, I doubt my kids have ever seen a difference in our home at Lent, and that makes me sad. I am adding that idea to my thought process of simplifying for preparation.
ReplyDeleteRole Model Parent, I'm not a parent so take my advice with a grain a salt. I think that all of us experience "seasons" where our spiritual growth is more intense and focused. Sometimes it happens intentionally (like Lent or Advent) while other times, its when circumstances or life or whatever brings us closer to God. These seasons can be emotional and spiritually exhausting though if we were to try and keep it up all the time. And then, those changes that we make during Lent might lose their meaning and become routine. When Lent is over, take a good look at how your life has changed, and what things you can keep doing. You don't have to back to the same-old-same-old, nor do you have to keep everything that you've changed during Lent. For example, if you've given up TV for Lent...after Lent, you could talk to your kids about what they've learned from the experience and how you could adjust your everyday life with those lessons learned. Then put it into action by keeping your TV time reduced to a lesser time per day. Am I making sense?
ReplyDeleteHeather, I appreciate your insight. You may not be a parent, but you are a daughter, and that gives you credibility. Parenting is so intense that, at times, it is hard to see through the "fog." An objective third party is a good thing. Thanks!
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