Round The Ball: Lent – 2009

Readings:

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Psalm 1

Luke 9:22-25

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If you don’t do anything else today, just take a moment to click on the link and read through the passages above.  I find them so amazingly compelling.  The offer of death and life: “See, today I set before you life and prosperity, death and disaster.” (Deut.30)  And then Jesus echo, stating in Luke 9 that the way of choosing life involves suffering with Jesus by dying to self: “Anyone who looses his life for my sake, will find life.” How amazing is that?  How counter-intuitive . .. that the choice would be offered, but the option of choosing life actually involves a way of suffering and self-sacrifice.

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I recently had a run-in with some local neighborhood hoodlums who were out late, looking for trouble.  They were just out for a laugh and likely didn’t mean any harm, but I did find myself concerned that with the wrong provocation, they were young enough and I as out-numbered enough for things to really go wrong.  I was left shaken but unhurt, realizing yet again the choice we have made in living where we live.  I found myself stating again, to myself and my God, “Yes, I know the risks of living where we live, and yet I chose to believe God’s goodness and faithfulness to sustain us here.  Knowing the risks, I choose life here – even if it involves suffering.”

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In what ways are you choosing life today?  What risks does that require of you as a result?