I really like this image by Dave Perry:
He describes how he see's it:
"Bright blue paint marks out the exact place where work is needed. There is no mistaking the intention or the purpose of the colourful lines and lettering. Soon the surface here will be dug up and whatever lies beneath the iron cover will be replaced, repaired or removed. A patch of pristine tarmac will then be left to testify to the completion of this task of renewal. To passers-by the paint on the pavement is a visible assurance that what is wrong here is shortly going to be put right; the fault has been noticed, remedial action will be taken.
Someone cares. Someone will get below the surface and fix this."
He goes on to reflect on the meaning of Lent, and how through it we are marked out for "renewal by Jesus". We are works in progress, and a lot of that work goes on beneath the surface. This picture challenges me not to make Lent a surface only event, but to dare to plunge into its depths and to discover before God what lies beneath.
It is easy to deal with the surface, to give up wine or chocolate, to watch less T.V.... it is harder to dare to be open to God, to dare to allow the Spirit free access to our souls, to be challenged, to be transformed...
And here is the reality; true internal transformation will have a lasting external expression, an external expression that will go way beyond a few weeks of giving up luxuries, an external expression that will dare to pray "your kingdom come" and to get involved in following Jesus to see it brought about.
God knows the exact places in my life where his blue paint is needed, where he wants to get to work, Dave continues saying:
" Sometimes fresh paint will be applied on top of many layers of faded blue at the same place; some areas of weakness persist and require constant attention. Elsewhere the vivid blue paint will take us by surprise. In both cases God yearns to mark out the hope and expectation that love longs to get below the surface and put things right. The God of renewal does not ignore our anguish or complacency. We might be tempted to leave things as they are within us, but God knows that we deserve so much better than that."
Of course it might seem easier to leave things as they are, but if we are honest with ourselves we know that, that is not true; dealing with the tough stuff will be worth it- God says we are worth it- but Lent is a reminder that it does not stop with us. During Lent we remember the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness, we remember the temptations he underwent and how he overcame them, and we are challenged to lean on God and to cling to God as he did, and to emerge changed and strengthened. Through this transformational process we should become those who get God's "blue" paint on our hands as we join in with his kingdom work; we are marked out not only for our own transformation but for the transformation of the world ( blessed to be a blessing)...
Dave finishes his post with these words:
"The blue paint of the kingdom shows the world that we mean business. It demonstrates unequivocally that our faith is meant to make a real difference. It frames the situations and people we are passionate about. It shows where we will put our faith into action. It challenges those who would leave such as these unremarked and without a care. It makes it clear that God is a God of personal and social renewal and that the two are inextricably linked together in Jesus kingdom of love. One without the other is just not possible."
I end with a prayer from Eggs and Ashes from the Iona Community:
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Lord Jesus,
desert dweller,
help us now
at this time of Lent,
to accompany you.
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If we have grown soft,
cushioning our lives
with excuses,
expose to us the toughness
of your way.
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If we have grown lazy
cushioning our minds
with easy,thin thoughts,
expose to us the rigour
of your truth.
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If we have grown comfortable
cushioning our living
with satisfaction and success,
expose to us the challenge
of your life.
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As we walk,
God, be our way.
As we learn,
God, be our truth.
As we grow,
God, be our life.
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We pray in Jesus name. AMEN
