The World Behind Me, the Cross Before Me

At our Ash Wednesday service last night, our pastor created a labyrinth to initiate our Lenten journey.  The theme of this year's Lenten season is "Steps to the Cross".  There were many "markers" on the labyrinth that reminded us of steps-how many steps in a mile, how many steps Peter took out of the boat, how many steps Jesus took to the cross.  We were then invited to pray the prayer of John Wesley

Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt;

Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,

exalted for thee or brought low by thee.

Let me be full, let me be empty.

Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and heartily yield all things

to thy pleasure and disposal.

And now, O glorious and blessed God,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.

And the covenant which I have made on earth,

let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

Our pastor also asked us to consider keeping a journal to record our thoughts and any work that God may be doing in our life.  As I listened this morning on http://www.pandora.com/ to the song, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, by Selah, the words, "The world behind me, the cross before me", I realized that the only way I could take steps toward the cross was to walk away from the world. 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses ,

let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,

and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,

who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame,

and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Hebrews 12:1-2

Dear Lord, Thank you that the great cloud of witnesses are surrounding me, cheering me on,  as I take these steps toward the cross of Christ during this Lenten season.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, help me to throw off any excesses in my life that will hinder me from running this couse set before me. Keep my eyes fixed on Jesus.  Immanuel, God with us..