41 days. It has only been 41 days since we celebrated the arrival of 2016. Sitting up and watching the ball drop on Times Square, then the blizzard of confetti falling all around the folks celebrating there seems more like months ago. In our small family we have already celebrated a couple of birthdays, had sick family members, a couple of short weekend trips for a few of us and work. When I glance back through my calendar it seems to have been so much longer than 41 days! Now here we are at Ash Wednesday. Time once again to start a journey to the cross. 40 days (plus Sundays) to contemplate our spiritual condition. After the preparation to 'meet' Christ at the manger, now we prepare our hearts to ponder and make room for the risen Christ. The wilderness stretches ahead of us, and just like our journey to the manger we know what waits at the end of this journey to the Cross, yet every year we begin again. We have gone from the kindness and giving of Christmas and in just a little more than a month we have hearts that carry burdens and questions about situations all around us, at least I do.
Today prepare yourself for the wilderness journey. Take time to worship, pray and gather things around you for the trip. Perhaps a new journal or notebook for jotting down thoughts and prayers. Over the next 40 days we will look inward, yet at the same time I will challenge you to really see what is going on around you as well. Today is the beginning - start today by remembering who you are and who God calls you to be. See you on the road..........
Today prepare yourself for the wilderness journey. Take time to worship, pray and gather things around you for the trip. Perhaps a new journal or notebook for jotting down thoughts and prayers. Over the next 40 days we will look inward, yet at the same time I will challenge you to really see what is going on around you as well. Today is the beginning - start today by remembering who you are and who God calls you to be. See you on the road..........
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