Reminder

I need a daily, sometimes hourly, reminder that it's not all about me.

I was reading from Experiencing God Day by Day (devotional by Blackaby & Blackaby) this morning.  God always knows exactly what we need to hear - and this is what I needed to hear today.

"Genuine love for God leads to whole hearted obedience.  Obedience without love is legalism.  Obedience for its own sake can be nothing more than perfectionism which leads to pride.  Many conscientious Christians seek to cultivate discipline in their lives to be more obedient to Christ.  As helpful as spiritual disciplines can be, they never can replace your love for God.  Love is the discipline.  God looks beyond your godly habit, beyond your moral lifestyle, and beyond your church involvement and focuses His penetrating gaze upon your heart."

I've been attempting the journey toward discipline without God for a few weeks.  I have become tired of the journey and any forward movement in this journey has been a source of pride in my heart.  I think, "I am actually doing it this time!"  But that's not true.  When I start doing it without loving God in the midst of it my focus is blurred and I wander. 

Love is the discipline, friends.  Without love and focus on God, discipline becomes legalism or perfectionism which leads to pride.  This week we have multiple reminders of love.

Today is "Fat Tuesday" - the day before the start of the Christian season of Lent.

Tomorrow, on Ash Wednesday, Christians around the world turn toward preparing their hearts for Christ's crucifixion, death and ultimate resurrection - the ultimate showing of love and mercy.

The day after tomorrow is Valentine's Day - a day where those around America celebrate loved ones.

I hope as I move in to these next couple of days I can focus on God's love and express that love to others.

An Ash Wednesday Prayer:

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, the all-holy one, who gives us life and all things. As we go about our lives, the press of our duties and activities often leads us to forget your presence and your love. We fall into sin and fail to live out the responsibilities that you have entrusted to those who were baptized into your Son.

In this holy season, help us to turn our minds and hearts back to you. Lead us into sincere repentance and renew our lives with your grace. Help us to remember that we are sinners, but even more, help us to remember your loving mercy.

As we live through this Ash Wednesday, may the crosses of ashes that mark our foreheads be a reminder to us and to those we meet that we belong to your Son. May our worship and prayer and penitence this day be sustained throughout these 40 days of Lent. Bring us refreshed and renewed to the celebration of Christ—s resurrection at Easter.

We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.