It struck me that I haven’t really asked God any tough questions in the recent past (or if I have, I have forgotten the questions or the answers, and that’s as bad as not asking)…does that mean I’ve stopped seeking? I wonder if it’s because I’ve become complacent again in my spiritual walk and don’t feel that there is anything to ask, or maybe that I have forgotten that I have this great resource of wisdom to tap, and all I have to do is ask.

Anyways, it’s a great reminder, and I want to practice as part of my spiritual discipline and even a way to get me to converse with God and others around me more about my life and my questions. And the one way to do this without forgetting (which is my greatest weakness) is to journal my questions and the answers that I find here on this blog, for my own memory, first and foremost, and for others who might happen to wander by.

Anyways, before I decided on giving up coffee for Lent, I was struggling as to what in my life I would give up, and that of course led me to ask what the purpose of Lent was in my own Christian walk. I finally settled on coffee, pretty much by default, seeing it as a luxury in my life that I enjoyed but not as a necessity. I figured that in feeling the minor ‘pain’ of not having it for these few weeks would be a reminder to spend some time in reflection for what Christ had done for me in giving up His own life (I know, coffee seems kind of paltry to that, I’ll get to that more below).

After about a week into Lent, I read this article in Relevant Magazine, “Slowdance on the Inside”. Here’s a key excerpt:

Lent, the forty days leading up to Easter (not including Sundays, during which we celebrate Jesus� resurrection), has traditionally been a season of repentance for believers. This season is not so much about the giving up of things as it is about the letting go of those things that hold us back from loving God whole-heartedly. Perhaps we can apply John Piper�s principle on fasting to the season of Lent: Our prayer, as we let go of certain things, becomes �This much, O God, I want You.� As is the case with many of our traditions, though, it is all too easy to miss the meaning behind Lent as we focus on its outward expression.

Wow, I guess, I need to re-evaluate how much it is that I want God in my life, if only for a cup of coffee. I think I’ll stick with my ‘no coffee’ Lent for now, but hopefully spend a greater proporionate amount of time seeking after Him.

And considering the jury rules, I can’t say anything other than what I have already said here about what I’m doing on the jury and the case involved, so don’t ask me until it’s over. At which time, depending on my mood and takeaway from the time spent (or lost, depending on how one looks at it), I’ll post my thoughts.

[reminder to self, think positive]

Please pray for patience, perseverance and wisdom as I juggle this along with finals, presentations and a full-load at work!

Here are a few excerpts that I found meaningful:

Look, whatever thoughts you have about God, who He is or if He exists, most will agree that if there is a God, He has a special place for the poor. In fact, the poor are where God lives…

But justice is a higher standard. Africa makes a fool of our idea of justice; it makes a farce of our idea of equality. It mocks our pieties, it doubts our concern, it questions our commitment… Preventing the poorest of the poor from selling their products while we sing the virtues of the free market…that’s a justice issue. Holding children to ransom for the debts of their grandparents…that’s a justice issue. Withholding life-saving medicines out of deference to the Office of Patents…that’s a justice issue…

A number of years ago, I met a wise man who changed my life. In countless ways, large and small, I was always seeking the Lord’s blessing. I was saying, you know, I have a new song, look after it?. I have a family, please look after them?. I have this crazy idea…
And this wise man said: stop.
He said, stop asking God to bless what you’re doing.
Get involved in what God is doing – because it’s already blessed.

Bono’s organization DATA also has a copy of the transcript. And if you’re not into reading, here’s the CNN video link.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.

I read this prayer during devotions a few months ago and it really touched me in its simplicity and also in its complete reliance on God’s strength and not my own.

Elijah has had this prayer on the frontpage of fanster.net for sometime, but I just noticed it a couple of weeks ago . In case you’re wondering about the background of the Serenity Prayer, there’s a good article at Wikipedia.