What are you preparing for

I have the letters WAYPF (What Are You Preparing For) on the white board above my desk to remind me that I constantly am in need of preparation.  Years ago I used this to create balance in my life.  I considered my life split into thirds.  Physical, Spiritual, and Intellectual.

I daily set aside time to exercise.  To be physically fit, knowing that I might need to muster up some energy to get through the day became a priority.  I found that building up my core muscles helped to center me and prepared for the plethora of activities during the day.

I daily set aside time to be with God.  I would spend time in scripture, letting the words fill me and interpret me.  I would take time to pray on the inspiration that God was speaking to me.  My emotions throughout the day seemed to be more even keel.  I was more attentive to the needs of my loved ones and my colleagues because I had been filled. 

I daily set aside time to exercise my brain.  I would play my guitar or piano for about 30 minutes.  Sometimes I would work on a mind puzzle, like Sudoku or crosswords.  Other times I found myself reading books that were not on my seminary textbook list.  I found myself lost in the world of Harry Potter or being spooked by Stephen King.  I was prepared for new ideas and was more open to them.

Over time, life happened.  I found the partner I longed for, we married, moved a bunch, had a couple of kids and now I am lucky if I can remember to brush my teeth before I leave the house in the morning.  Life is moving faster and I have been finding myself less prepared for the demands of life and what God has called me to be and do.

As we enter the season of lent, what are you preparing for?  Like me, are you only focused on what is right in front of your face?  Is it hard to look beyond a few days, nevertheless a week?  This Lent, let us consider what we are preparing for….the death and resurrection of Christ.

How do we prepare for this amazing act of faith?  Before, I was only thinking of bettering myself for me.  Now I am considering better myself for others.  Jesus’ physical actions should be my own.  Like Christ, I should be engrossed in learning more about the people and the world that I am surround by.  I should be responding to world through the eyes of Christ on the cross…with unconditional love and empathy.

WAYPF? Let us walk this penitential season of Lent with Christ on our hearts, minds and filling our souls with God’s abundant grace and mercy.  It’s a long trek to the cross…may God walk with you as you prepare to meet the risen Christ.

                                                                                      

Pastor Steve