Lent is just around the corner.
"Give us a North American Lent that lends to the Lord.That instead of saying: It’s not my child, my community, my problem, a Lent that says: It’s not happening on my watch. Give us a Lent that goes with less so others can live … so we can feel wildly alive.
--
Melanie Dill
Serving in South Africa
www.melaniedill.com
Poverty is all around.
As we think about a revival of Christian-impact on the world, I'm yearning for others to see that simplicity is rich. This is a call for The Church to rise up and purge our cravings.
......................................
Preparing for the Season:
"Lent is the Christian season of preparation before Easter. In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday [5 March 2014] marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count).
Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting,repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ - his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection."
......................................
I love it when people are gripped by the things they see on the mission-field. Ann Voskamp helps us see a world unlike our North American lives.
Ann Voskamp writes a brutally honest account of her craving for a Lent that feeds on a hunger that only One can quench:
"Give us a North American Lent that lends to the Lord.That instead of saying: It’s not my child, my community, my problem, a Lent that says: It’s not happening on my watch. Give us a Lent that goes with less so others can live … so we can feel wildly alive.
Give us a Lent that fasts from the flyers and the free shipping that ruins our appetite for anything less than God.Give us a a North American Lent that lends to the Lord and fasts from consumption because we want to consume God."
- Ann Voskamp
(Read the whole, beautiful article here: http://www.aholyexperience.com/2014/02/a-north-american-lent-when-you-want-to-have-an-appetite-for-god/)
......................................
So what's just around the corner for you?
What's literally waiting for your surrender?
What's waiting for you beyond your things, beyond your to-do list?
What's God waiting for you to wake up and see?
Where are you poor - not in possessions, but in excess?
What are you lacking that can be uncovered during this preparing for the season?
I pray we long for more of the purer life. Simplicity.
A new view of God is just around the corner.
Melanie Dill
Serving in South Africa
www.melaniedill.com
No comments:
Post a Comment