music for the soul: track 18
opened up the heavens (live) – isla vista worship & mark barlow
You opened up the heavens
And you rained down your love
Father, my heart is toward you
And you're more than enough
I am resting, in your love for me
Open up, receive
Lord I look to you
And your water, it washes over me
Oh, Lent. It's quite polarising isn't it? Some people dread it. Some people love the intensity. Which one do you relate to more? For me, it is the latter. I am a to-do list, goal setter type of person - so maybe that is why. I like to set out where I want to go and pave the way to get there. But actually, that's not the point of Lent. It's not about what I've done or given up. It's not about me. It's about God and becoming more like Him.
After spending 2 work days in an old warehouse, with only one other person and yet continuous things and sounds to creep you out - on one day, I spent almost 7 hrs straight listening to mostly Lenten themed podcasts. Firstly, because I wanted to be focused on this season. Secondly, Fiat90 means my listening is limited to positivity (and no love songs). My point is that I took in a lot, with many overlapping themes and points. In one particular podcast, the guest reminded me that Lent is not about what you do. It is about how you are transformed by the things you do. So even if you fail sometimes, the failure does not define the year's Lent. Rather, your response to what has happened can. It is in those moments of struggle of giving up as Fr Innocent describes about the desert in the Poco a Poco Podcast - that is where the growth happens.
It reminds me of the Baptism of Our Lord.
"And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”"
(Mark 1:11)
My eyes were opened to this new perspective in the Abiding Together Podcast series on the identity of daughter. Because wait a minute, this was at the very beginning of Jesus' public ministry. He was barely getting started and yet, God was already pleased with Him. As He is with us. Yes, you too. We are His beloved children, His love is without condition, it doesn't fluctuate ever. That means whatever we do or don't do, right or wrong - He loves us the very same. He loves us as much as He loves each saint in Heaven. Yes, even as much as Mother Teresa 😱
So whether you caved and ate something you were meant to be fasting from, fell asleep during your daily rosary or found Lent to creep up so fast you didn't have time to think of what to do, it is not too late and it never is. Because even if we get to Holy Week and Lent didn't go as planned, it is not too late. And frankly, we can continue for the rest of our lives. It is however, that little bit easier knowing the whole Church all over the world is making intentional actions to grow in holiness too.
Remember that you are His beloved child, and He is pleased with You. It is up to us to make a choice to love Him back, to go deeper and to grow stronger by His grace. No matter what is happening right now, He is already pleased with you, are you satisfied with Him?
via.
Listen to "Opened Up the Heavens” here.
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