The season of Lent is an exceptional time of introspection for many Christains. Traditionally, they enter this “naval gazing” introspection by giving away something that disconnects them from God and others. However, as science teaches us, nature abhors a vacuum, so “giving away” is only the beginning of the journey. After you give away and cleared space to be more intimate with God and others, the question is, “How do you use that space for connection to become richer?” In other words, “How do you use that space to “be” with God?

In this Lenten journey I will be “filling up” my soul and time as I reflect on the Jesus Creed, a term coined by Scott McKnight in his book “40 Days Living the Jesus Creed.” What is the Jesus Creed? It is the greatest commandments as spoken by Christ. “Hear O Isreal the Lord our God. You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neigbhor as yourself.” (Mark 12:29-31) These words Jesus gives are direct connections to Christ’s life as a faithful Jewish servants, comming directly from Deuteronomy chapter 6:4-5 and Leviticus chapter 19:18. When Jesus speaks them, he is is taking us home to God’s commands for God people and a specific command on how we are to ‘be’ in the world.

This is my formal invitation to you this Lent. Each morning and night, as you wake and when you sleep, take time to speak the words. Speak them as often as you can so they settle in your heart and guide you.

Hear O Isreal the Lord our God.  The Lord is one. 
You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, 
and love your neigbhor as yourself."  
(Mark 12:29-31)