Art by our beloved Lynda Thurman
“You are not what you do, although you do a lot. You are not what you have collected in terms of friendships and connections, although you might have many. You are not the popularity that you have received. You are not the success of your work. You are not what people say about you, whether they speak well or whether they speak poorly about you. All these things that keep you quite busy, quite occupied, and often quite preoccupied are not telling the truth about who you are. I am here to remind you in the name of God that you are the Beloved Daughters and Sons of God, and that God says to you, “I have called you from all eternity and you are engraved from all eternity in the palms of my hands. You are mine. You belong to me, and I love you with an everlasting love.” Henri Nouwen
Scripture for the first Sunday in Lent takes us into the wilderness with Jesus. For 40 days, Jesus fasted, prayed, and faced the evil one with the “word” that lived in him literally; Jesus himself is The incarnate Word (John 1:1) of God.
Notice the temptations he experiences in the wilderness. The temptation to let go of his true identity with these three lies are:
- I am what I have,
- I am what others say about me
- I am what I do
Read the scripture and allow these words to read you:
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘”He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” ( Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. (Matthew 4:1-11)1.
You are God’s Beloved (Colossians 3:12.) We invite you to join us and fast the three lies during this Lenten Season
- I am what I have,
- I am what others say about me
- I am what I do
At Crossroads, we intentionally practice the Micah 6: 8 (Act Justly, Love Mercy and Walk Humbly (Micah 6:8)) requirements. If we follow Jesus’ example and fast the lies together, we could emerge with the profound reality that we are the beloved of God. That reality will change us, our neighborhoods, our systems, and the world Jesus died for <3
Practicing Micah 6:8,
Scott and Clare
2023: 40 Days: Act Justly, Love Mercy and Walk Humbly (Micah 6:8)
Recommended reading: Life of the Beloved, Henri Nouwen
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