Lent: The Path To The Cross

Please click if you would like to read all of the posts in the series “Lent: A Non-Liturgical Look{2013}”.

This little branch fell, in a perfectly upright position, on the roof of my home after a pretty intense storm. It sat there, all stiff and isolated from it’s original source; that being a branch from a rather large tree.

The juxtaposition of the branch and the snow spoke to me. In the midst of the uncertainty of the wind and harsh weather, this branch fell right there. Sturdy, unyielding, alone…bare.

There are times I want to be like that branch. Standing on my own, supporting myself in prideful isolation. Needing no one and handling life independently from others, unwilling to forgive, refusing to repent. Unyielding to God. 

Forgiving love is a possibility only for those who know that they are not good, who feel themselves in need of a divine mercy, who live in a dimension deeper and higher than that of moral idealism, feel themselves as well as their fellow men convicted of sin by a holy God and know that the difference between the good man and the bad man are insignificant in his sight.

~*Reinhold Niebuhr, An Interpretation of Christian Ethics, ch. 8, “Love as Forgiveness”*~

That quote is NOT meant for “guilt manipulation, but for willing self-reflection.

Ash Wednesday has arrived and I find myself desiring to observe this Lenten season in some way. To spend time REALLY reflecting on the character of Christ and what it took for Him to leave His Father and come here…of ALL places 0_0. 

Dwelling among His own creation, teaching, touching, healing, loving. Only to have them spit in His face and be despised and rejected by the very ones He came to save.

The 40 days leading up to the cross of Calvary are seeped  with wonder. But the truth is, I have never really “observed” Lent. At least, not in any humble way. 

I was raised in the Catholic church until I was 16. Since then I have spent most of my life observing my faith in non-denominational church settings. 

My last recollection of Ash Wednesday was from when I was maybe 14?? I left school early under the guise of going to church, put cigarette ashes on my head, pledged to give up sky-diving for Lent, and went on my way. 

What can I say? I may have been raised Catholic, but I was not a very “good” one. I often thought that Lent was just another observance to make me feel guilty in order to go to church more in order to “feel clean”. Not ALL Catholic church experiences are like this. This is just my own.

It did not work. I felt so far from God. When I was about 15, I picked up an old family bible. The illustration of Christ on the cover was so warm and inviting. He looked like a “nice” guy. I wanted to know HIM; not the “guy/God” that made me feel bad about myself all of the time. <click

As I cracked open the terribly, over-sized tome, the smell of ancient days wafted to my nostrils. It was musty and the feel of the heavily coated, shiny pages of illustrations felt smooth under my fingers. They were so beautiful. I wish I still had that bible…

I read and asked God in my child-like way to show me who He was. I had no idea where to even begin! I would not recall that moment for a long time. But, less than a year later, He became very real to me. 

I guess I am not sure how “public” an observance of Lent should be? Shouldn’t it be done quietly and between just me and God? For the most part yes. This is very personal. 

Over the past three years in particular, reading other peoples journey’s  through Lent has encouraged me. So I am hoping my sharing this journey with anyone who cares to read about it will be encouraged as well.

On Wednesdays from now until Easter, I hope to share some of what I am learning as I step into the world of Christ during those 40 days before the most horrific and spectacular event in history.

I would like to share a link to the guide I am using. It is from World Vision, is short and to the point, but thought provoking. You can print it up {HERE} for free.

Also, part of my inspiration for this journey was posted by Katharine at “Just A Thought”. She has a GREAT post on this topic, not to mention a FABULOUSLY creative achievement: A “Lenten Basket” which she has filled with items to remind her of the meaning around the tradition. {Yep…I am a-copyin’ THAT idea!}. If you stop by there, leave a comment for her. She is a gifted writer!

I hope this series might inspire you to take a look at those days prior to Easter and maybe re-discover the wonder of it all.

Traditionally, Psalm 51 has been referenced as a piece of scripture to dwell on over these next weeks. As you read, as God to open your heart to what it is He might want to show you about Himself. Come like a child, as I did 30+ years ago and He promises to show Himself faithful to all who seek Him!

PSALM 51 {ESV}

Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
    blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
    and cleanse me from my sin!

For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
    and blameless in your judgment.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
    and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
    and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
    and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
    and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    and sinners will return to you.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
    O God of my salvation,
    and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
    you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
    build up the walls of Jerusalem;
then will you delight in right sacrifices,
    in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
    then bulls will be offered on your altar. {source}