Day 35: The Poison of Noisy Impatience
March 20
by Norma Flores Lovett
Readings:
Reflection:
The Israelites were (1) hungry, (2) angry, (3) longing for the past, and (4) tired (HALT). Two of these are hard to endure, but enduring all four is a dire situation for any human being. When I need clarity, and I don’t get it, I feel anxious, angry, frustrated, and exhausted because I am passionately expressing all those attitudes. In the book of Numbers, the people complained about the manna and about the lack of water, and the Lord sent poisonous snakes because he was so angry. (😯) So, of course, the people recognized the error of their ways, and God told Moses to create a bronze snake on a pole, and all the people had to do was ‘gaze’ upon the bronze snake, and they would be healed. This sounds like even in that moment, God was calling the Israelites to silence. Lent is about contemplating in silence and looking at the only one, God, who can heal us.
John chapter 8 ties this together by reminding the people that they would not understand until He (Jesus) was on the cross. The power of the Holy Spirit allows us today to commune with Him. Lent is the time to let go of this world (our ego, status, worldly noise, idolatry) and align ourselves with His Holy Spirit so that we can understand that he is the I AM and that we can go and do what pleases Him.
Worldly noise has kept me from silence and recognition of God’s divine presence, which has resulted in independence, impatience, and sin. Jesus says that even in his suffering, God has not abandoned him. These are the words that I am holding on to…"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)
Prayer:
Yahweh, Holy God, your love endures forever.
Your faithfulness can never be broken.
May your Word light a path for my feet.
May your Word protect my family and those I love. Holy Spirit, give me the strength to call on you during the good times and the hard times.
I trust in you, Lord.
You are my redeemer.
You are my Savior.
Thank you for all your blessings.
Amen.
Song:
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, Lofi Christian
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