The Tenth Station of the Cross - Jesus is Stripped of His Garments – is worth reflecting on.
Negativity is a common feature of the human being. I am guilty of it. I am very much in harmony with it. I have experienced and lived it in various circumstances, forums and communities. It is time to strip off the garments of negativity, the personality affections including pride and ego in order to place my love in Christ through his people, particularly those I regularly encounter.
Jesus was stripped. He knew letting go of his garments would lead to a shameful exposition of his body. He also knew the garments were earthly, and hanging on to them would be an obstacle to glory. He had to choose between hanging on and letting go. He let go immediately.
Quite often I hang on and do not let go, simply because I do not want my other part(s) exposed. I "garment" and hide my shamefulness even from myself. But sooner or later, someone is going to take off my garments. And when that happens the degree of shamefulness may be worse than if I had gradually done so on my accord.
But I find it hard to take off the garment, let alone allow some one to help do so. How do I break the long established bond with those I have been shopping with in the negativity mall? How do I move to the other side? How do I explain my sudden change from a negative behavior, which has been my identity and anthem to a positive one?
No! I do not have to explain anything. Christ did not have to explain why out of a sudden he was stripped of his garments. He had one thing in mind and in focus - obeying His Father's will for the love and salvation of his people. His shamefulness was short lived. The glory out of it was eternal. If only I can focus on the long term, I will let go of my negative garments to face the short lived shamefulness.
I cannot do this alone. With prayer, willingly, and with the help of trusted persons, I can. And so I pray:
Negativity is a common feature of the human being. I am guilty of it. I am very much in harmony with it. I have experienced and lived it in various circumstances, forums and communities. It is time to strip off the garments of negativity, the personality affections including pride and ego in order to place my love in Christ through his people, particularly those I regularly encounter.
Jesus was stripped. He knew letting go of his garments would lead to a shameful exposition of his body. He also knew the garments were earthly, and hanging on to them would be an obstacle to glory. He had to choose between hanging on and letting go. He let go immediately.
Quite often I hang on and do not let go, simply because I do not want my other part(s) exposed. I "garment" and hide my shamefulness even from myself. But sooner or later, someone is going to take off my garments. And when that happens the degree of shamefulness may be worse than if I had gradually done so on my accord.
But I find it hard to take off the garment, let alone allow some one to help do so. How do I break the long established bond with those I have been shopping with in the negativity mall? How do I move to the other side? How do I explain my sudden change from a negative behavior, which has been my identity and anthem to a positive one?
No! I do not have to explain anything. Christ did not have to explain why out of a sudden he was stripped of his garments. He had one thing in mind and in focus - obeying His Father's will for the love and salvation of his people. His shamefulness was short lived. The glory out of it was eternal. If only I can focus on the long term, I will let go of my negative garments to face the short lived shamefulness.
I cannot do this alone. With prayer, willingly, and with the help of trusted persons, I can. And so I pray:
My Lord,
Fill me with the the wisdom to know when to let go!
Help me this day and every moment of my life
to take off the garment of negativity.
Give me the courage to request, obtain and
put on the garment of forgiveness.
Let me be a source of clothing and healing
to my community and all I encounter.
...
image source: http://www.wischik.com/irene/cross/
