Following Him - Lent 2020
Why have we fasted, and you see it not?
Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?
Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers.
Isaiah 58:3
Lent is a time of reflection. It's a time for meditating on the story of Jesus' journey, face set like flint, moving toward his destiny, to Jerusalem and the cross. During Lent, we enter that journey with Him and try to see a reflection of our lives in the light of His. We take stock in our faith lives and repent for the ways we have fallen short in bearing the image of the One whose image we were created in.
When the Old Testament children of God were called, they responded and repented. But soon after would always return to their old ways. We often do the same thing. We start out on the right path and then, sometimes in the most subtle ways, we wander from the path of faith.
Matt Redman, a Christian musician and singer, has a heart and gift for sharing the Gospel through his music. His heart wants to bring glory to God, but as Matt began to experience success, he wandered from his original aspirations. It was no longer about God's glory, but the glory and attention he was receiving. God will not give his glory to another (Isaiah 48:11). Matt found himself in a dark and desolate place and wrote a song about turning back toward God called “The Heart of Worship.”
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about you,
It's all about you, Jesus.
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about you,
It's all about you, Jesus.
Lord, forgive us when we fall from grace by seeking our own glory. Thank you for the season of Lent when we reflect on the story of your Son's journey to the cross for us. Help us to follow in this season and the next. In Jesus' name, Amen.