I want to get a tattoo similar to Jon Foreman’s album cover for his EP, Winter. A leafless, cold, lifeless and lonely tree in middle of a long December. My wife, Dawn, says it’s too depressing and why would I ever want to do that? Especially since I am an eternal optimist who doesn’t just see the glass half full but overflowing!
I think my obsession with this image has to do with the one way I have continually found life, joy, peace and meaning over and over again. It’s been a constant since I first gave my life to Jesus 25 years ago. Dying.
Jesus said, “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39 ESV))
The season of Lent is about dying to myself in order to make space for the life God gives. It is a season of letting go. Shedding leaves. Losing my self to better house the true image I reflect.
Dying to myself is not an easy task. In fact, dying can be pretty painful if you do it right. I fight to hang on to the self I love. I actually dress it up, take care of it and do whatever it takes to present it in the best light to everyone.
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” – John the Baptist (John 3:30 ESV)
So there’s the self I love and then there’s the self Jesus plans for me to be. You can guess which one blossoms into love, hope and faith. You know which one bears sweet fruit.
This is what Lent is about.
I invite you to join us as we walk through the Uncomfortable Question asked the day Jesus gave himself so that we can have life. These questions reveal the self in us getting in the way of true life if Christ. The answers to these questions reveal our depravity and desperate need for a Savior.
Through intentional, practical and contemplative practice I invite you to die to yourself in order to find your true life.