A rueful grin usually lightens conversations about a change of scenery being the only catalyst for life change when I use this little phrase. Many of us are returning from a break only to discover the face in the mirror our first morning home looks familiar and unchanged.

Last week I mentioned our inner and outer journeys – more often than not it is the the inner that needs to change regardless of the outer circumstances. Jesus confronted the external face of religion as he joined the crowds for worship – and he did not like what he saw.

I’m sure providing access to livestock for sacrifices and currency exchange for offerings began as a convenience for worship. My inner journey sometimes acquires some “conveniences” and needs a bit of “turning the tables” to regain my focus.

Our lives are “the Father’s house” – Lent is a good time for a spring cleaning of that which is unhelpful and distracting from serving the highest purposes Jesus has for our lives.

A Lenten Prayer for Today

God of all seasons, in your pattern of things there is a time for keeping and a time for losing – a time for building up and a time for pulling down. In this holy season of Lent, as we journey with our Lord to the cross, help us to discern in our lives what we must lay down and what we must take up – what we must end and what we must begin… For Jesus’ sake

The Book of Common Order of the Church of Scotland

© March 19, 2012 Touchstone Ministries Inc.