Hidden Faults

We have returned to this Holy season of Lent. But beyond Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras, what is it all about? In earlier times, there were only a handful of times when a new Christian could be baptized, and Easter was one of those times. Lent was a time of preparation for those Catechumens who were about to identify with Christ through baptism. It was a time of fasting, self-examination, and contrition. But what does it mean for we who have already been baptized? Lent is a time to reorder our life for Christ; a time for us to reset our priorities. As Paul instructed the Colossians, we "set [our] minds on things above, not on earthly things. For [we] died, and [our] life is now hidden with Christ in God." –Col 3.
Let’s all be honest, it is easy to get distracted. It is easy to forget the Kingdom of God. We have soccer practice, and band, and deadlines and taxes, carpools and flu season, and all these things need to be dealt with. It is true that all these things demand our attention, and it is not a bad thing that we give them the attention they deserve. However, when our attention gets so focused on today’s priorities that we miss the Kingdom’s necessities, we need a priority realignment. King David knew how easy it was to get distracted. In Psalm 19 he prays a prayer for redirection. "Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."
We don’t need more time in the day. We don’t need more will power. We don’t need better intentions. What we all need is the power of Christ at work in us to accomplish Kingdom tasks. What we all need is a gentle reminder of what is important. What we need is a new vision.

"Lord, what do you want to do through me?"

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