Further Up and Further In

 Lent is a time of stretching – testing – trial.  A time in the wilderness. Traditionally, we fast (resetting our relationship with our self), pray (resetting our relationship with God) and give alms (resetting our relationship with our community.   We withhold comforts. We push our bodies.   We gain a healthy dose of suffering.   We stretch our time and energy – can I really pray three times a day?   What about 100?   We stretch our pocket books… well… do we?? Do we stretch our finances like we stretch our hunger (a question for another time)? We stretch, bend, push, embrace discomfort, challenge our routines – but do we ever truly reach the point of suffering?   Do we need to?   Is that important? Before he began his official ministry, the story goes that Jesus went to the wilderness to be tempted and tried - forty days of solitude and fasting. Whether forty days “literal” or forty days “symbolic” (health professionals will advise you...

  Abundance and Generosity Dipping into the endless abundance of an infinite Love-Being. I have all that I need. I have capacity to absorb the needs of others.   My own needs are fully-met. I have ability to be generous – because I’m not giving out of MY supply of time, energy, and love.   I am accessing (as much as I am able) the stores of an infinite Love-Being (who encourages me to give generously).   … more than I could possibly ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). This is not a call to live in abusive relationships – intimate relationships need to be safe. This is not a call to self-abuse. This is not a glorification of suffering – suffering sucks. This is an encouragement that when you reach the end of yourself – you can’t show up one more hour let alone one more minute!   Rest.   Take the time and space that you need.   But also, REST in the knowledge (faith) that you CAN.   You can because it’s not YOUR strength that will get y...