“Justy!” All it took when I was a kid was my mother referring to me as “Justy” with a look of disappointment and I was in a puddle of tears and begging for forgiveness. I’ve never handled failing people, tasks, or anything very well. I think that is why I’m quite awful at Lent…yes I said it…I’m awful at Lent. Some traditions can’t say alleluia during Lent, others can’t eat meat, we are supposed to use drab dark colors…and worst of all…I have to think of my limitations. I’m asked to reflect on what it means to have limitations, to fall short, to be human. It’s going to be a long 40 days.
This month I’m working on engaging in worship as my spiritual discipline. This means reflecting and asking myself questions during and after the worship experience. The part of worship that hit me the hardest this week was our reflection on how our violent actions have hurt God. Human violence causes God pain, which is biblically described as similar to the pain of childbirth. If I can’t handle Betty Zeigler being disappointed, how can I handle God being in so much pain that an epidural is needed? This brings me to the beautiful part of my limited humanity…love. Yes being a human means that I’m limited, but it also means that I get to love and be loved. Opening ourselves to be loved and supported in our limitations from our community is humanity at its best and a step to God’s love reigning. We can’t love one another fully unless we are aware, at peace, and honest with our failings. This Lent lets strive to be honest with ourselves, and walk together on this journey.
Blessings,
Justin
