I
remember a time when I was a kid. My father asked me to clean up my room before
going out to play. I frantically shoved toys, clothes, and school work into my
closet, hurrying to join my friends outside. About three minutes later, I
returned to my father, with sweat running down my face, and told him I was
done.
My
father, being a thorough man, walked into my room to check. He found it looking
pristine and clean…a little too clean. As he opened the closet, an avalanche of
dirty clothes and knick knacks engulfed him. I thought he would be furious with
me, but he sat on my bed and watched me clean out my closet, clean my room, and
then said, “Ok, now you can go out and play.”
Lent
is similar to this. How many times have you put on a face, created a tidy
appearance, or played a part to receive a certain reaction, accomplishment, or
accolade? Lent reminds us not only to clean up the room, but clean out our
closets as well; that inner place where God lives within us. Lent invites us to
spend time with God, asking for direction, listening to instruction, and
responding to the invitation to “go out” and play.
As
you receive the sign of the cross on your forehead this Ash Wednesday, let it
serve as a reminder. Let it remind you that Jesus has claimed you, saved you,
and called you to go and be Christ like in a world of cluttered closets.
Pastor Steve
