Then he said to all, “If anyone
wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and
follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses
his life for my sake will save it.” - LK 9:22-25
In the beginning of our spiritual
journey, Ronald Rolheiser, author of Sacred
Fire, shares that we often question our call to discipleship. Mostly,
because of our perception of the kind of person that should be called appears
different to the ones that actually are. Peter was known to be ‘The Rock.’
However, he lacked courage and was not ready. Rolheiser emphasized that Jesus
does not call on the ready, but on the willing.
Courage is never learned overnight.
It results from years of practice and patience along with being brave enough to
face what life sends us. As we begin this Lenten season, we receive an
opportunity to think about what it means to be a follower. It invites us to
grow through the hardships of life, accepting what cannot be changed, and
struggling through what needs to be changed despite the risk of rejection,
doubt, or failure.
In fostering a courageous heart, we
are encouraged to trust Him more deeply and having faith that He will use our
Lent to do more than we could ever ask or imagine. It enables us to recognize
and live with our own unfinishedness, knowing that we are subject to weakness
and sometimes failures. Not only are we nurtured by our relationship with Him,
but provided with comfort in understanding how He cherishes each of us no
matter what happens in our lives.
For me, it is being courageous
enough to say ‘no,’ accepting my limitations, and not second guessing myself.
Denying myself to be less self-reliant and leaning on Him to make choices that
are more fruitful and life giving. It means living out what I already know to
be true and allowing myself to be seen in a more fractured light, yet still
capable of being loved. This Lenten season will be a little more about release
and not getting in the way of who God designed me to be through practicing
presence, breathing deeper, and continuously learning to let go.
Which areas of my life would I like
to live out more courageously this Lenten season?
Reflected by Tam Lontok
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