Lent: The Doctor Is In

I can remember the first time I sat down with my hematologist. Dr. Marcus was nearly 1.5 feet taller than me with dark curly hair and piercing green eyes. I was scared of him, at first.

I was scared that he was going to send me away empty handed.

I had bumbled along for 2 years with doctors who did not believe my symptoms or kept telling me I was fine.
But knew I was sick. I could feel it. And I felt sure that some doctor, out there, was going to be able to help me.

Dr.Marcus scanned my blood work, looked at me, and said with utmost gentle kindness,
"You were right to come and see me. Here is how we are going to help you feel better."

He took a piece of paper, drew a little diagram to explain what was going on, and then outlined how he could help me. He even walked me down to the IV iron clinic and signed me up himself.

The whole thing took about 20 minutes. It was straight forward, it was simple, and it was clear.

All it took was finally talking with someone who understood what was going on and had the power to do something about it.

Luke tells this story about Jesus,

"Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, 'Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?'
Jesus answered them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.' "

(Luke 5:29-31)

Knowing that we are sinners, that we are sick, is what causes us to need Jesus. Those that THINK they are righteous don't need Jesus but those that are sick are desperate for the good doctor and true healer.

Lent is about admitting that we are sick.

For the next 40 days we are going to take those fingers that we point accusingly at everything we think is the problem and point them inward.
Lent invites us to see the ways in which we have let greed and lust, unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, despair, loneliness, and darkness take hold of our minds, bodies, and souls. We are invited to see how we contribute to hatred and racism, the oppression of the poor, and how we are complicit in injustice.

Lent is about acknowledging that the world is sick.

Our world is not perfect, it is fallen and it breaks my heart. There is so much beauty amidst the fallen. In the morning, I love to watch sunrises out our back window - the sky alight with indescribable color. But, as I kiss my husband goodbye and send him off to his work at a mission in our inner city, I am too quickly reminded of the brokenness of this world. There are people without food or safe housing, people with addictions, mental health issues, and involved in trafficking. People who have been abused and have abused others. Not to mention whatever might be in the headlines from famine and floods to plagues and violence. The world is in need of the redemption of God.

Lent reminds us that repentance is the way forward.

If there is anything I can tell you that is guaranteed to bring true and abundant life into your mind, body, and soul it is this - get into the habit of repentance.

One of the beautiful roles that the Holy Spirit plays in our lives is that He convicts us of our sin and provides a clear picture of the way forward into healing.

The Holy Spirit never works in fear or guilt or shame. He is always trying to draw us into closer relationship with Jesus and the Father.

The only way to get better is to admit that you are sick and the Holy Spirit helps us do just that.

Jesus is looking for people who know they are sick. There is little that can be done when someone refuses to acknowledge their need. But knowing you are sick is something Jesus can work with.

Jesus is still calling to those that are sick and need to repent. He is calling to you and me - to those that do not know Him yet and to those of us that have known Him for decades.

The Holy Spirit will show you the way forward through repentance and forgiveness and, in so doing, you will receive the new life of Christ because God is exceedingly abundant in His mercy, grace, and forgiveness.

I can tell you from experience that there is nothing better than being sick and being helped by the right doctor. Especially one who has the power to get you the help you truly need.

I will leave you with this prayer from the Ash Wednesday liturgy. May the God of all mercy, perfect remission, and forgiveness guide you on your Lenten journey this year.

“Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent:Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen”