Changed

Changed.
That is pretty much what I was promised this lenten season as I entered in with what proved to be a pretty miserable 40 days (well, relative to a hangnail anyway). I gave up meat which was harder on my wife than it was me, but still fairly life altering as I had to be diligent about what I consumed. I wanted change to happen, but really just wanted to be a little stronger in my faith. More or less, I wanted something different to happen. I was showing up and I expected God to do the same.
As our pastor taught on lent and we prepared our hearts, I was asked to do a series of paintings for the church bulletins. I set about accomplishing those and immersed my heart and mind into the series and all that Passover and First-fruits were all about.
I learned again what my mother had taught me in Sunday School already, but my understanding was deeper. I learned that the ashes from ash Wednesday represented our mourning over our sins, that giving something up for lent had less to do with self-denial and more to do with self-death and allowing Jesus to be our life instead. The connection with Israel's 40 years of Manna started to make more sense to me.
I learned that Maundy Thursday's Passover Meal had less to do with what was on the doorposts of our homes and more to do with what was taking place deep within us.
I learned that Good Friday's darkness had less to do with shadows and shame but more to do with putting our swords away; forgiving those who would harm us.
I learned that the Saturday before Easter had less to do with hunting for eggs and more to do with hunting for what occurred during the last 40 days.
I learned that Easter Sunday had less to do with just an empty tomb with a woman crying in the garden and more to do with the resurrection of an entire people; that as the First-fruits, Jesus led the way out of death with a great laugh and asked, "Why are you weeping?"
As I steeped my life in the life of the Master these past 40 days, I was hoping for greater intimacy with Him, for a deep sense of His love for me and to express my love for Him. Being permeated by perfect love, I got more than I bargained for.
More or less,...
I have been changed.
Jesus Loves Evansville,
David Warren