In themselves, Spiritual disciplines can do nothing; they can only get us to the place where something can be done. (Douglas Rumford)
We all have desires for our life: desire for strength and beauty, desire for relationship and acceptance, desire for comfort and rest, desire for peace and security. These desires can serve to orient our lives, but if we are not seeking guidance those desires can be misinterpreted or distorted and present a message of inadequacy and hopelessness, even despair.
Jesus reveals that our desperations and desires are truly an appetite for God, the Giver of life. Jesus does not seek to shut down our longings; he doesn’t ask to rise above those longings either. Jesus understood deeply that human desire is a realm for opportunity to open us up to the divine around us, at work in the world, and to those around us – friend, stranger, and enemy. Jesus doesn’t perform like a genie in a bottle, objectively granting wishes. He works with us, allowing our desires to draw him into the core conversations of life.
For centuries Christian have understood that living the way of Jesus requires deliberate and attentive spiritual practices. These practices create space in our lives where God can dwell in our midst. The journey of spiritual disciplines orients our life around connecting with God and connecting with those around us on a deeper level. Spiritual disciplines are not the end of the Christian journey. They simply put us in a place where we can begin to notice God and respond to his word to us.
As we seek to be a church that Loves God and Serves the City (and world) in which we are located we must be committed to seeking God daily. This seeking is not a burden to be carried, but a freedom and a joy to be experienced.
Watch for regular Lenten Devotionals updates on Arborlawn’s Facebook page and in Arborlawn’s Twitter feed. (Please note some iPad users are experiencing difficulties accessing the Facebook page through that platform’s Facebook app. We have submitted requests for the repair of this glitch to Facebook and are awaiting resolution. The page works on smart phones and in web browsers and can be accessed through the Safari browser on iPad at Facebook.com/arborlawnumc) You can also pick up a printed Lenten Devotionals guide at the Welcome Kiosks or in the church office.
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message)
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