Ever been tempted to take a shortcut in life? Ever been tempted to take the easy way out? "C'mon, preacher, you know we all have. Why are you asking such a STUPID question?" I must say that after a very busy morning and a short night last night due to an early-morning speaking engagement, the thought crossed my mind to use the ol' cut-and-paste option every computer has and give you Rev. Erin Oliver as your guest columnist this week (since she's already sent out her mid-week e-mail). When I hopped on IM to ask her about this possibility, it came to me how utterly ridiculous that idea was. If I cannot sit down and come up with something relevant and meaningful to write, then just say so and be done.
Well, this is where we find ourselves during Lent. We are faced with a world that gives us every possible convenience there is to take shortcuts. Often, it seems there is a quick-fix for pretty much anything. I've even heard of parents who use surrogate mothers to carry their baby so that the genetic mother won't have to deal with the physical and hormonal 'inconvenience' of pregnancy. That's pretty sick, but it is the level at which we find ourselves.
Here's the good news - Lent is preparing us for that Good Friday where Christ refused to take the shortcut. He refused to take the easy way out. He did what had to be done - not for anything other than restoring a fallen world to a loving God.
Next time you think about taking the easy way out, take a moment to pause and reflect upon a man who did not take the easy way out, and as a result you live a life of hope and joy instead of death and despair.
See you Sunday!
Lamar
Well, this is where we find ourselves during Lent. We are faced with a world that gives us every possible convenience there is to take shortcuts. Often, it seems there is a quick-fix for pretty much anything. I've even heard of parents who use surrogate mothers to carry their baby so that the genetic mother won't have to deal with the physical and hormonal 'inconvenience' of pregnancy. That's pretty sick, but it is the level at which we find ourselves.
Here's the good news - Lent is preparing us for that Good Friday where Christ refused to take the shortcut. He refused to take the easy way out. He did what had to be done - not for anything other than restoring a fallen world to a loving God.
Next time you think about taking the easy way out, take a moment to pause and reflect upon a man who did not take the easy way out, and as a result you live a life of hope and joy instead of death and despair.
See you Sunday!
Lamar