March 1

Today is the first Sunday in the season of Lent, which began a few days ago on Ash Wednesday.  The idea of being on a “journey” is a common metaphor for the Christian life.  The readings today reference two important journeys in Bible, the story of Noah (Genesis) and the story of Jesus’ baptism and immediate journey into the wilderness (Mark). 

We know what it is like to take a journey.  I’m continually stunned by the amount of luggage and accompanying paraphernalia that our family needs for the average trip.  When I question any of this I’m told, “We just want to be prepared for anything.” 

The Lillibridge’s “anything” seems to include the ceasing of all magazine and book publishing in the United States, the closure of all clothing stores in the vicinity, famine, power outages, and the taking of every DVD and CD in the house as if they are precious family heirlooms passed down to us over the generations and the family would come unraveled if something happened to them while we were gone.   

All of this is accompanied by rechargeable batteries, cell phones, video equipment, computers, hair dryers, cameras, IPODs, several dozen electrical cords, and anything else deemed as “essential.”  When I mention taking something that we might actually need, such as a tire gauge:  “Oh, there’s no room for that!” 

I wonder what, by contrast, Jesus took to the desert?  Nothing.  There’s an example here about our Christian journey.  To fully appreciate the fact that the most important things in life aren’t things, we need to put down some baggage and journey with God.   

As this Lenten season gets underway, I hope that you will release some of the baggage weighing you down and free yourself for the journey of these 40 days.  Christ is in motion and wants us to move with him.  God wants to sanctify your journey, sanctify all the motion in your life; so I urge you to make the trip meaningful by simplifying your life this Lent, focusing on what is truly important, and living your life in such a way that you know that the most important things in life aren’t things.