Over the years, I have tagged a lot of what I write with a reminder that our stories are sacred or that we are on a holy journey. I instinctively knew why I used these spiritual descriptions but I wanted to share more so you can consider the thought. In my focus on Lent, it has become much clearer to me and I will connect those dots shortly. If you do not have a Christian belief, I still encourage you to read through this and see if something may give you a glimmer of hope.
Let me first put some definition around sacred and holy. Now, these are very close and connected. The way I think about it is the "sacred" is something set apart for God's purposes. We see in Jeremiah 1:5, God says to Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart for my holy purposes." So, our stories began before our birth. Our lives are complex and rich with circumstances, challenges, blessings and growth- physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Now, in an honest accounting of that, it is often very messy and broken at times. Our stories are filled with precious moments, relationships, gifts, and experiences but they are also a collection of bad decisions by ourselves and others, broken relationships, sickness and death, and mental health challenges, addiction, and disappointments. In those more difficult times, we often struggle with grief, shame, and fear among other emotions. As I look back at my story, there are so many gifts like family and friends. I got to travel the world and meet and learn from so many special people along the way. And yet in the quiet throughout my life, I have wrestled with emotions from the messier parts.
Despite the broken parts, my story and yours are sacred. Our stories started as a divine creation. Your journey is sacred because not only were you set apart, you are loved regardless by the God who is love. He has been with us every step of the way- every chapter and season. He saw the hard things. He saw the unbelief, bad choices, pain and fear. And yet, he chose to be with his children in the valleys and the darkness just as he was there in the mountaintops and the light. Given that he is love and forgiveness. We can leave the hard emotions that burden us behind. We can cling to the fact that we were made for a divine purpose. As Easter approaches, think about laying the burdens that you carry down at the foot of the cross. We are forgiven.
Isn't that comforting?
I also often say our journeys are holy. The term holy can refer to the "process" of being set apart in other words, our sanctification. The process by which we learn about God's character, develop faith and reliance, becoming more whole-spirit, mind and body. Richard Rohr referred to it as the process or experience of grace- the essence of God. And another talked about the ongoing equipping to fulfill God's divine purpose in our lives and those who surround us. God intentionally leads us in paths to connect with others fulfilling their purpose as well. There is more going on than the circumstance or the emotions that burden us. God is working in and through us to help us better understand his character and reflect his glory to a world who needs it desperately. While we have a plans, God has a divine plan and orders our steps just as we saw in Proverbs 16:9. Truthfully, I certainly don't wake up each morning and feel the gift of a holy journey. But I know if I focus more on the fact that we are on a holy journey, it changes my perspective. It will change yours as well. God is right there with us, guiding and teaching us. His presence and work of grace continues to sanctify us and lead us in our divine purpose.
Isn't that hopeful?
For Lent, I have added more time daily to seek God with the expectation that I will be somehow be different at the end. I will have a deeper relationship and understanding of God's character and his love. I fight fear almost on a daily basis and often that fight leads me to self-reliance which honestly leads me to more fear or a sense of being overwhelmed. My life is full of both blessings and hardships. While I have seen his faithfulness in my life, I forget the miracles and forge ahead. Of course, he doesn't turn away from me. He calls me forward and teaches. His Spirit becomes more real when I seek to understand.
Today's lesson for Lent referred to the Israelites. God saved them from slavery in Egypt. He did that through miracles. Everyone is familiar with the parting of the Red Sea. Not only did he make a way by opening the sea up, he then let the sea close on their enemies. He was visible every day in the form of a cloud and fire. He fed them what they needed each day. They saw direct evidence of God's power and presence. And yet, they forgot at times that they were on a holy journey. They turned their eyes towards other idols wanting things to happen differently or faster. They forgot the gift of freedom. While, there were times when God corrected them, he never left them. It took 40 years of wandering in the desert before they crossed into the Promise Land. That time wandering was actually a time off testing and trial, a time of learning, and a time to experience God in their midst. It was more than a punishment. It was preparation. It was a holy journey and their sacred story.
I'll end this with a call to action. Reframe the way you think about your story. Look for God's hand in it. See the miracles and the growth that occurred. Remember the lessons that taught faith, perseverance, courage, forgiveness and love. Accept his grace fully so that you can learn to extend it. In the present, call to mind daily that God is walking that path and guiding you along. You are surrounded by his love. You are on a holy journey.
It doesn't matter if you are currently living through struggles even ones of your own making. It doesn't matter how far into unbelief you have fallen. It doesn't matter how self-reliant you have become disregarding his power. He will not leave you. I can't say there won't be times when it is so dark that you do not feel his presence. But the real comfort and hope and peace is there for the asking. He promises to answer those who seek him. He hears us even from the bottom of the pit. He is right there by our side.
Lamentations 3:55-58 "I called your name O, Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea...You came near and said, 'Do not fear.'...You redeemed my life.
Even when it's hard and messy...
God is there.
Your journey is holy.
You story is sacred.
You are set apart.
Just seek to understand who God is. Call out to him. Believe and you will be redeemed.