Jesus said, “Whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door.” If Jesus had been a friend of Shakespeare’s he might have said, “No William, the world is not a stage.”
Jesus’ instructions on living the spiritual life are very clear: Beware of practicing your piety in front of others. Pray real prayers, not empty words. Where your treasure is your heart will be also.
We are in the middle of the season of Lent, a time in the church when we spend many days reflecting on what God wants us to do with our lives. This is when we honestly and openly ponder our failures, our shortcomings and our sins. This is not easy work.
Being alone in the silence and nothing else save for the Spirit of God can be intimidating. The very first time I intentionally spent time in quiet, reflecting on my need for God, I don’t mind telling you I was afraid. I have been on some pretty scary plane flights. I had a terrifying car wreck that left me headed northbound in the south bound lane. I’ve had two very serious surgeries. But never have I been as frightened as I was in that first moment of silence.
When we come face to face with God we encounter a mirror on our souls. The fear of that vision tempts us to run away.
That temptation is strong but in this season of quiet introspection see if you can find the courage to ask these questions: In what ways have you fooled yourself? What are your patterns of denial? Where are you most disobedient? What is controlling your life, keeping you from the freedom of the Gospel?
There are more questions but you get the point. The final question is this: What is your relationship with God? Have the desires of your heart so crowded your life that there is no longer any room for the Holy One of the Universe?
The answers to these questions may not be easy to face but at the end of the day, at the end of the journey, grace is waiting to welcome us home. The first step begins with trust in the mercy and love of God.
Grace and peace to you,
-Glen
