Shawn Stutz

My journey of lent continues into its second week.  It’s been a bit of a challenge and a joy.  Being drawn to sweets and the common late night snack quickly reminds me of my decision.  In deciding to resist this common craving, there is hope for greater connection to and awareness of Christ.

It has worked.

I find myself looking at the open bowl of peanut M&Ms or the wonderful Girl Scout cookies outside Wal-mart  and realizing how much my flesh can drive my desires.  Amazing how candy coated shells can satisfy while my soul can near starve at times.

There was a slip-up day.  Justification and temptation took over and I caved on a late night indulgence (emotionally-driven eating can be gripping).  However, I’m experiencing great grace in thinking of Christ’s perfection in the desert.  Though I still live in the desert, perfection is not yet attained.  On a great journey though…

Like I mentioned earlier, I’ve been reading the book Small Surrenders.  Here are some good quotes I’ve found:

“Prayer is not about out competence.  It is about grace.”

In reference to a tree’s growth…  “and what we noticed was the tree’s obedience.  The tree had not invented its own life story.  It was following a path set by a greater being.”

“This is one way we make a surrender.  We admit that God may be speaking to us through the most casual and ordinary events of our lives.”

“We are not converted only once in our lives but many times, and this endless series of large and small conversions, inner revolutions, leads to our transformation in Christ.”  – Thomas Merton

“If grace is so wonderful, why do we have such difficulty recognizing and accepting it?  Maybe it’s because grace is not gentle or made-to-order.  It often comes disguised as loss, or failure, or unwelcome change.” – Kathleen Norris

“”You see, the older I get, the more I ask myself, ‘How is my life unfolding in terms of my primary goals of living with God forever?” – Brennan Manning

“Every walk is a story, a narrative line leading out from home to a point of crisis, change or insight and then back to the known and a time of reflection.” – John Leax

** Any of these stick out to you?  Which ones? I’d love to here**

* As a side note, my kiddos have chosen to journey with dad.  They have picked prime TV times and desserts during the weekdays.  Their decision has led to some cool discussions.

Yet another month plus of lent remaining.  More to learn, greater depths of growth to reach…

** and if you read this whole post, I’m proud of you **

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I have been thinking about the idea of repetition and commitment lately.  We often joke with people when they are in the thick of planning their wedding about the stress of it all.  We might poke with something like this:

“At your next wedding, you (groom) can have a say.”

Or… “You only do this once you know”

But, oddly enough, the second phrase has been the rub.  You don’t just do it once.  A commitment that huge happens anew every morning.  Yes, there is the initial “engaging” ask and the formal “I do”, but covenant relationships are so vital.  The renewal of pledges that forever truly need mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual affirmation.

I would say the same for parenthood or even unity in the body of Christ.  Membership in that community often takes renewal; remembering the significance of caring for one another deeply.

And, with caution (as to how you read this), I would say the same about our salvation.  Yes, we surrendered to Christ and He rescued us once and for all.  However, we work out our prayer with fear and trembling daily.  We recommit to the integrity, intentionally, and the eternity of this sacred union.

And on the flip side, I’m completely overwhelmed by the fact that God has eternally and intentionally committed to His children.  The scriptures teach us that He loves with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3), that He ’s faith to complete the work in us (Phil. 1:6), and He will never leave us nor forsake His people (Deut. 31:7-9).

My God has eternally pledged to me and will not waiver.  And I’ve seen how He renews His pledge each day with new mercies (Lam. 3:22-24) and graces.  Which begs the question:  “How am I renewing my pledge?”

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