1. THE BEST VERSION OF MYSELF: EMPTY

ASH WEDNESDAY
Wednesday, February 14th

(These Lenten reflections are inspired by a quote from Joshua Long on an Artists for Joy podcast, “I am called to follow Jesus, not for the sake of helping others believe like me, but to help me be the best version of myself for the world.” *)

Read Matthew 4:1-11 (copied below).

Follow Jesus…

Shortly after he was baptized, Jesus went into the wilderness for a time of solitude, barrenness, and fasting, most likely as preparation for his life of challenging servanthood and radical love. After many days of deprivation, he was tempted with food for his hunger, comfort for his tribulation, and power for his emptiness. With each temptation, Jesus cited Scripture passages to affirm what he truly needed–what is essential for life–as he relied on God’s strength and guidance to remain steadfast.

to be the best version of myself…

On Ash Wednesday, we are mindful of the seasons and cycles of life and death, as we hear the words, “You are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19). We enter the season of Lent as a time of emptying, humbling, and dying to ourselves, that we may be filled with love and transformed with new life—as Jesus was on that sacred morning we now call Easter. Our Lenten journey is a time to follow the ways of Jesus and deepen in love for the world.

This season, I sense that my wilderness time is to withdraw and empty myself of my hunger for affirmation or recognition, my comfort found in personal security, and my desire for power to control outcomes. I hope to be more mindful of the times when I am not fully trusting in God’s faithfulness, goodness, and provision. Knowing I will not be perfect in this emptying season, I hope to at least open space for more of God’s perfect work in me.

for the world.         

God, Infinite Love,
May I enter this Lenten season with eagerness and expectation, because yes, I am only a work in progress—but I am your work in progress, as every one of us is. Your Love comes to us freely, graciously, without our merit, and I am grateful. Please help me to empty myself of all that is not of you–and let you fill me with all that is. Thank you, God.

As we reflect together, as we expand in love this Lenten season, may we each joyfully wonder,
“What new thing is God going to work in me—for the good of the world?”

(Our passage for Sunday will be Matthew 6:25-34. Reflections will then continue each Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday through Lent.)

* This podcast may be found at https://artistsforjoy.org/
Photo by Karen

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(Matthew 4:1-11 NRSVUE)

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written,
‘One does not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
    and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus said to him, “Again it is 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 glory, and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God,
    and serve only him.’”

Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.