These Are A Few of Our (Not) Favorite Things

Too much sugar.

Eating for any reason other than hunger.

Candy.

A lack of diligence.

Procrastination.

Mean words.

The above, and many others, were sacrificed in yesterday’s fire. Our family gathered around the breakfast table on Ash Wednesday, prepared to do battle with faults and false gods. Amidst the scrambled eggs, fruit, cereal and toast were slips of paper, pens, a metal bowl, and a lighter.

After eating what the Lord graciously provided, we engaged in public exposure of our hearts. What has been lurking there that hinders and separates us from fully experiencing all that God has planned for our lives? What bad attitude or false god claws at our heart, tearing us away from His perfect plan?

Exposure is uncomfortable. You feel cold, naked and vulnerable. But when you realize that you are surrounded by the warmth of your family’s love, a flame of hope begins to rise in your heart. Encouragement and unconditional acceptance fans the flame, and it grows, spreading its warmth all through you.

One by one, we held lighter to paper. How easily the written confessions shrivel and curl into gray dust! If only the obstacles they represent could topple so quickly!

Yet we are encouraged. We have taken the first step. Our heart’s desire is that this sacrifice we offer for a season of Lent will not end there. We pray that the change in our hearts will remain, and that we will experience a newness of life that only comes through sacrifice, and death.

“[Hezekiah] did right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done. He removed the high places and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel burned incense to it; and it was called Nehushtan. He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him. For he clung to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses. And the LORD was with him; wherever he went he prospered.” (2 Kings 18:3-7a)

~ Posted by Betsy