During my Lenten Journey I have taken time to reread parts of Huston Smith's classic work, The Soul of Christianity. On page 65 he writes that during the first Lenten journey taken by Jesus, Jesus came to his last Passover season where he "steadfastly set his face toward Jerusalem." Huston writes, "the word 'steadfastly' here is well chosen; it registers the determination he needed to face what was in store for him." For Jesus, the week we now call "Holy Week" became a defining moment along his journey to the cross and the empty tomb.
What are some of the defning moments in your life along your journey with the Lord? Often, for us, we see these moments in hindsight rather than foresight; but there come those moments in everyone's journey when we steadfastly set ourselves about the task that requires our best determination to face what is in store for us. The determination to finish a college degree, change career directions, or make sacrificial lifestyle changes to help your children or grandchildren achieve their goals in life, requires a steadfastness to stay the course even in the midst of what you know will be hard and uncertain times. There will be a cross to bear along the way, and you don't know who will always benefit from your sacrifice; but one thing is certain. Those who stay the course will discover the truth behind the empty tomb that lies on the other side of the cross.
When you come to that defining moment along the way when you set your face steadfastly with Jesus in the direction of the cross, I pray you will feel him walking with you, giving you the strength and determination you need to stay on the course.
Dennis
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