Terry Paul Choyce
February 25, 2007 Brunswick Street United Church
Today is the first Sunday in Lent. Traditionally, people give up something during Lent, in memory of all that Christ gave up to be our spiritual leader. Jesus was a very gifted speaker, he was able to read ( which was rare in those times), and he had the miraculous ability to heal people. Jesus could have been a very wealthy man, and lived a comfortable - even privileged life. But he chose not to. He chose to walk the dirt roads of Israel, penniless and homeless, to let people know about the love of God, and how they needed to love God, themselves, and each other.
Our New Testament reading today (Luke 4:1-13) was about the 40 days and nights Jesus spent in the desert, and the temptations Satan presented him. What I want to focus on is the fact that Jesus chose to stay in the desert 40 days and 40 nights, with no food. This was a test he decided to endure to strengthen his inner fortitude and his faith. No one forced him to do this. For some reason Jesus felt that he had to put himself to what must have been the brink of death from starvation, in order to prove to himself that he was up to the challenge that God had put before him.
I picked the reading about Ruth because she chose to walk the difficult road to Bethlehem with Naomi, rather than stay in her homeland, like Orpah did. Ruth had little hope for a happy future, but her loyalty and love for Naomi was stronger than her own comfort and security. Fortunately for Ruth, her self-sacrifice paid off, and she married Boaz and did live a happy life. Because she had the courage to leave her home, she has had a powerful place in history.
Most of us have times in our lives when we must make a hard decision that will change our lives. This could be leaving a relationship, like I did with my exhusband. This was the hardest thing I have ever done, but I felt I had to do it, or I would be spiritually dead. And I know I would not be with you today if I had stayed. Some people get a job opportunity in another locale, and they decide to leave their homes and start a new life. This is usually very scary. Some people decide to become a doctor or a social worker or a minister, and this entails going to university for many years, at a high cost financially, and often personally. For many people going to school is a big self-sacrifice, but their goal is worth it.
Many of us here made major sacrifices when we had our children. From the discomfort of pregnancy, the pain of child-birth, the economic burden of raising a child, the strain on the relationship between the parents, the amount of time, energy, and patience needed to bring up respectful and loving children - having a child is a long, hard path to walk. And when I think of Hazel, who did it 8 times, I have to praise her for her courage and fortitude. She deserves a round of applause... And if she wasn't so courageous we wouldn't have her son Paul in our choir, because I think he was child number 5.
Think back at your life and the times when you made a difficult decision because you felt it was the right and loving thing to do..... Are you glad you did it? Were the sacrifices worth the outcome?.. Are there decisions in your present or your near future which you know you should make, but are afraid to? Is the goal worth the suffering and insecurity that will come from getting there?....Do you have the courage of Ruth, or the faith like Jesus?
Last week Sandy sang us one of the songs she recently wrote. That took courage. And she wants to eventually self-publish a book of her poetry. That will take time, dedication, and money. But I know she will do it if it is what she really wants to do. Shazza has gone to university for the first time, in her 40's, to become a social worker. I have no doubt she will succeed , and she will help many people. She is already a powerful example to us, and her sons. Paul sold his house and most of his possessions to join his life with mine. Believe me, that has taken courage. Scott has put his dreams of being a potter on hold while he helps to raise his son. Soon it will be Scott's turn to fulfill his goals.
Ilyana Vanzant, in her book, One Day My Heart Just Opened Up, wrote (p.102):
"...the failure to choose is often the result of the fear of letting go...What we do not realize is that choice is a divine teacher, for when we choose to follow a certain path, that choice holds a lesson for us. When we stand still, refusing to choose, we miss the divine opportunity to ...obey the whisperings of our heart."
I am not advocating everyone make major changes in their lives. I am saying that each of us has a time, often many times in our lives, when we have to spend a few days at least, in our own version of the desert. A wise person prepares him or herself for the ordeal, and prepares loved ones as well. Your decision will always affect others, so you must be careful and loving as you proceed. Timing is important. Courage and perseverance are essential. And faith, in God, and in yourself, are paramount. You will never be alone on this tough walk. God will always be walkingwith you.
Praise Be The Lord
