Take Time to Stop: Lent (part three)
I got pulled over last night…
Apparently I ran a stop sign. I’ll admit up front that I did not come to a complete stop. It was a total California-roll. I don’t recall ever running a stop sign in my 13 years of driving. Well, until last night.
My wife thought it was fairly amusing until she saw the look on my face. You see, she not only reads my posts. She lives with the omissions. Lucky her…
This season of Lent is proving to be unlike any other. I hope it’s because I’m actually asking God to kill things in my life that keep me from him. Sure, I was serious when I talked about needing to participate in Christ’s death. But honestly, it looks a lot better written out than lived out. This is painful stuff, man. I’m either going to be of greater faith and character, or clinically depressed. I’m not sure which.
I don’t want to over-spiritualize this, but in a way I feel like getting this ticket is a reminder to me that some things need to die. I immediately felt entitled to a verbal warning when the officer walked up to my car. And I can’t imagine why, really. I did break the law, after all. I then pleaded my case to my wife, telling her that I’m pretty sure the car came to a stop (this is where her amusement started). I started to blame her for distracting me, but almost immediately stopped, thank goodness. I had so many questions in the moment, but never this one:
Why couldn’t I have just taken the time to stop?
We weren’t in a hurry. There was no traffic. The bottom line is that I was simply not paying attention. It’s not that I was distracted by bad things. My wife and I were talking on our way back from dinner. I was enjoying her companionship. But, it was a distraction nonetheless. My priority should have been the road. That, in turn, would have been looking out for my wife. I think it’s the same way with Christ. He should be my focus. He should be important. Distractions should step aside. Why can’t I just take the time to stop and see him?
Be encouraged today if you feel distracted, weighed down with different things, or just worn out. I am all of these lately. Let us be reminded to take the time to stop and refocus on the road. The one he’s laid out for us. Remember, it’s narrow, folks. I would appreciate your prayers during this hard(but hopefully fruitful) season as I pray for you as well.
Speaking of which…how can I pray for you?
Love that…we need to stop. We all need to. Our lives depend on it, or at least mine does. With 5 bizillion kids…and just as many animals..I just need to sit with Jesus, or I will lose my mind…maybe I already have!!
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the comment, Drea!
I’m reminded of the story of Mary and Martha. I love Jesus’ response to her when he said, “she has chosen what is better, and that will not be taken from her.”
Here’s to us making better choices…
This is a good reminder. The struggle for me is HOW to put the different things in my life into perspective. How do I serve God well and glorify Him as a single when I desire marriage? How do I know, without falling flat on my face, figure out the balance between spending time with God, and working and being in graduate school full time? How do I remember to take certain things to the Lord when I’m used to going to things, food, or sin to avoid them? I am excited for this Lenten season. I’ve had the chance to slow down and not just be impulsive (I’m a very decisive person, so it’s very easy for me, a lot of times, to have a thought and kind of just act). I am forced to stop and think. It’s been beautiful, but I feel definitely more tired than usual. I just want God to mold me more into the woman He’s intending for me to be.
Wow. That was more than I meant to write. Thanks for reading.
Jessica- First off, thanks for the comment! I don’t know what brought you here, but I believe your thoughts will be an encouragement to others here that read…so thanks for that.
We have many points of intersection, I believe, during the Lenten season. As you can tell by my previous posts, this season is proving to be the most taxing on my mind, body and spirit than ever before. And oddly, I’m grateful for it. I love James 1:2-4 from The Message, as I think some of the answers to your (and my) questions are found here:
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
Just a quick note, as a casual passer-by (I was researching Lent commentary on blogs):
thanks for hipping me to Donald Miller’s writings. I had never heard of the guy ’til yesterday, and now I’m really intrigued.
thanks much,
John
John- thanks for the note, sir! I’m glad you decided to stop by for a bit, and for checking out Donald Miller. Let me know (if you don’t mind) what you think of his writing. I have a hunch you’ll like him.
Josh- I’ll definitely let you know. What I’ve sampled so far, I really like a lot.
Meant to add, more importantly: I really dig your blog. It’s refreshing to read faith-based writing that isn’t sort of…clouded up with weird piety. Y’know? You seem like the kind of guy I’d have a coffee or beer with. So cheers!
take care,
John
John- thanks for your encouragement! As you can tell by previous posts, it is very timely.
P.S. I get my caffeine from Coca-Cola. I’d have it in a permanent IV if it wouldn’t look awkward.