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"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 'He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.' When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." 1 Peter 2:21 New International Version
It's Ash Wednesday, and so begins our Lenten journey.
In Lent we come face-to-face with two competing drives within us. We are driven to take life into our own hands and create our own destiny, and we are driven by the power of the Holy Spirit into the hands of our God.
The picture of this mother cradling her daughter is wonderful image of what it means to be entrusted into the hands of God. This child has no worries, no concerns. She sleeps calmly in her mother's arms because she knows that mom is caring for her.
God wraps us with his love and holds us close to his heart. So, why do we think life is better when were in charge of our lives? This journey of Lent is the journey inward to see what life is truly like when it is in our hands.
Life in our hands is chaotic.
Life in our hands is a meaningless.
It's Ash Wednesday, and so begins our Lenten journey.
In Lent we come face-to-face with two competing drives within us. We are driven to take life into our own hands and create our own destiny, and we are driven by the power of the Holy Spirit into the hands of our God.
The picture of this mother cradling her daughter is wonderful image of what it means to be entrusted into the hands of God. This child has no worries, no concerns. She sleeps calmly in her mother's arms because she knows that mom is caring for her.
God wraps us with his love and holds us close to his heart. So, why do we think life is better when were in charge of our lives? This journey of Lent is the journey inward to see what life is truly like when it is in our hands.
Life in our hands is chaotic.
Life in our hands is a meaningless.
Life in our hands is death.
As this mother brought life to her daughter, so God gives us life. Ash Wednesday is not merely a journey inward, it is also a journey upwards. It is a journey to the cross where in the abandonment of the cross we find the loving arms of God wrapping us in the gift of forgiveness, and with that gift of forgiveness comes life and salvation.
In his suffering, Jesus entrusted himself into his Father's hands. On our life's journey we are entrusted into those same hands. And yes, life is better in God's hands.
As this mother brought life to her daughter, so God gives us life. Ash Wednesday is not merely a journey inward, it is also a journey upwards. It is a journey to the cross where in the abandonment of the cross we find the loving arms of God wrapping us in the gift of forgiveness, and with that gift of forgiveness comes life and salvation.
In his suffering, Jesus entrusted himself into his Father's hands. On our life's journey we are entrusted into those same hands. And yes, life is better in God's hands.
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You can listen to the Praying With the Eyes broadcast at the ib network on Sundays at 8:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm and 8:00 pm MST (www.ibnetwork.us). You can also listen to the show on the ib network on Tunin Radio.
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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner. ARR.
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