Forty Days
Forty days as "in-between time." Kind of like time spent on a plane. I'll be flying to Israel/Palestine March 14, spending about 12 hours in the air. There will be plenty of time to think, to reflect. What would you think about?
One of the things I've been thinking about this Ash Wednesday as I write this is a story that Centennial member Joe Ling, who died last week, told one of his proteges (I hope I can get it close to being right). A new graduate was about to try his wings in the world with his first job in his chosen field. He went to his mentor/professor for advice.
"I will only give you three words now," the mentor said, "and then I'll give you three words later. Come back for them only when you really need them. But for now, the three words I'll give you are these: 'Don't be afraid.'"
The new graduate took heart. Seasons came and seasons went, and he encountered some real rough patches in life. He decided that the time had finally come to seek out the other three words of advice. He went back to the home of his mentor, and found that his mentor had died. His widow, however, welcomed him inside and said, "My husband left an envelope for you. Let me find it." She found it and gave it to him. He opened it, and inside was a piece of paper with just three words: "Don't be regretful."
Lent. Forty days to leave our regrets, our baggage, behind. Forty days to claim, by faith, our freedom and forgiveness in Christ.
Brian
One of the things I've been thinking about this Ash Wednesday as I write this is a story that Centennial member Joe Ling, who died last week, told one of his proteges (I hope I can get it close to being right). A new graduate was about to try his wings in the world with his first job in his chosen field. He went to his mentor/professor for advice.
"I will only give you three words now," the mentor said, "and then I'll give you three words later. Come back for them only when you really need them. But for now, the three words I'll give you are these: 'Don't be afraid.'"
The new graduate took heart. Seasons came and seasons went, and he encountered some real rough patches in life. He decided that the time had finally come to seek out the other three words of advice. He went back to the home of his mentor, and found that his mentor had died. His widow, however, welcomed him inside and said, "My husband left an envelope for you. Let me find it." She found it and gave it to him. He opened it, and inside was a piece of paper with just three words: "Don't be regretful."
Lent. Forty days to leave our regrets, our baggage, behind. Forty days to claim, by faith, our freedom and forgiveness in Christ.
Brian
posted by Melanie at 4:00 PM
1 Comments:
Recently I read "Pinocchio" to our 5 year old and 3 year old granddaughters. This story makes me think of the wilderness. When Pinocchio becomes alive, Geppetto sends him to school. Before this time Pinocchio was only a lifeless, wooden carved puppet and now suddenly he is told to go to school in order to become a real boy. He doesn't know what to expect or what type of people he will meet while on his way to school He wasnt' told to beware of scoundrels like J. Worthington Foulfellow and Stromboli. He has been placed in a wilderness of not knowing what is expected of him or what he should expect from others. At times, don't you find yourself accepting assisgnments in a wilderness like this not knowing what is expected of yourself?
One's brain starts to feel like a tornado is occurring. Thoughts, ideas and solutions start whirling around and around and around inside your head. One gets so confused in knowing what to do. Should I do this or should I do that. Then I remember Jiminy Cricket who is Pinocchio's Conscience. Jiminy tries to guide Pinocchio in the right directions. Pinocchio hears Jiminy, but he doesn't listen. Jiminy does not give up on Pinocchio; he stays with Pinocchio when he is in BIG trouble. Do we hear God when he is talking to us and follow his directions, or do we give God a deaf ear and do as we wish? God doesn't give up on us; he stays by our side even through the "storms" we experience because of our poor judgement.
A wilderness is different for each of us. During this Lenten season, may the next 4o days of sharing our thoughts help us to walk out of the wilderness refreshed with confidence, with a stronger faith and with a listening ear of God's message.
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