The Keeping of Lent

This keeping of Lent can become like the keeping of the Law

A frenzy of dotting "i's" and crossing "t's"

as if I can possibly get it all "right"

Which is just another way of glorifying my own self endeavours

The wall of the impossible always stops me in my tracks

This sudden halting of my self indulgent efforts

I loudly lament this failure

and arduous push for perfection

The shadow of my sinful humanity turns dark as night

Disgrace and the wearisome sense of endless striving

overwhelms me

"All of us like sheep have gone astray

Each of us has turned to His own way

BUT THE LORD

has caused the iniquity of us all

To fall upon Him

And by His scourging we are healed."

--Isaiah 53:6

And there in the midst of my sin crisis

He appears--

"BUT THE LORD..."

Sufficient for my need

Perfect sacrificial Lamb

Wholly able to take all of my sinful self

upon Him 

Healed and restored

by grace alone