Sometimes we see ourselves as blessed or cursed based upon how we are doing in the ways of the world. If we are successful at work, esteemed by family and friends, if we are economically successful and are able to make a good living, then we see these things as blessing from the Lord. However, we take a lot for granted in life. When we are in good health, when our personal relationships are doing ok, we chug along in life and don’t even think twice about it. For four years when I served as a missionary, I did not have running water and thus did not have a shower where I could bathe myself. I had to take a sponge bath with a bucket of dirty water from the river and a bar of soap made from palm oil that had a terrible effect on my skin. To this day, when I take a shower with a nice bar of soap, I give thanks to God for being able to do even a simple thing like that.
Our reading from Jeremiah looks at blessings and curses differently, telling us that we are cursed if we put our trust in human beings and if we put the things of the world ahead of God. Whether it is subconsciously or consciously, many of us put our trust in the things of this world. However, if we don’t put our trust in the Lord, Jeremiah tells us that we are like a barren bush in the desert that stays static and does not change with the seasons. May we look into our hearts this Lenten season to see how we need to change and return to the Lord.
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