Day Four: Refocus
Lent calls us to turn our focus away from ourselves, but that can be a struggle. So many things compete for our attention and affection. Saying "no" to these distractions, perhaps by fasting or giving up something we enjoy, takes us out of our comfort zone. It can leave us feeling empty, even weak.
But emptiness is pleasing to God. When we empty ourselves at His invitation, He will fill us in ways that nothing else can.
When we are at our weakest, He is at His strongest. And in humbling ourselves, we are like Jesus, who gave up His Divine rights in order to die in our place.
Won't you turn your eyes on Him?
Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
--- Philippians 2:5-8 NKJV
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, we humbly ask for Your Light in the midst of the darkness that shadows our vision. Show us the way to You, Lord. Renew our minds and create a new Spirit within us. Fix our eyes on Your Kingdom, that we may grow to be more like You. Amen.
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition copywritten 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970. Confraternity of Christian Doctrines, Inc. Washington, DC.
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