Go to the Places that Scare you.

I saw a book a month or so ago that caught my eye.  It was titled,
“Go to the places that scare you.”
I didn't pick it up at the time instead getting "The Art of Power".
A few days ago, in another blog I read, I came across the title again, “Go to the places that scare you.” It is written by a Buddhist teacher Pema Chodron.
( I may have to read this next. )

This has made me think and reflect on,
When recently have I gone to a place that scares me?
When was the last time I risked?
Took a chance?
Stepped out and stepped up?

Lent is rapidly winding down and we are nearing Holy Week.

I have to ask myself what I have I done to walk closer with God these past 30 days or so?

We talk about Lent being a time in the desert. a time of sacrifice, of searching, of seeking God, of trusting that we will find God.

I've been to the desert.  I find it to be a scary place, beautiful in it's own way, but scary.  The heat can over take you quickly.  There is not much to offer shade from the sun and the heat.  If you don't have adequate water you can die.  Not to mention the scary creatures; lizards that look like they come from someplace prehistoric, poisonous snakes, and things that live in the cacti.

But that’s what the Spirit made Jesus do... go into the desert for 40 days....
– to go to the places we would rather avoid, to go to the places that scare you takes faith.
And we go because something essential happens there.
That’ s where life gets real.
But there is danger in my complacency as well.
The danger is different than that of the desert, but it is there and it is just as real.
Hidden in my complacency is laziness, apathy, distrust, and lack of faith.
Throughout Lent I have contemplated,
thought about,
recommitted myself,
and started over again.
I have been easily distracted.
I lost focus, forgetten about why I should 'go to the desert'.
It has been easier to go about life not giving anything up, not sacrificing much, not going any place that might scare me.
I would not consider my Lenten Journey successful... yet

But its time.
It's time to risk.
It's time to face the things that frighten and scare.
It's time to let something essential happen to me.