Lent + Availability

This morning in my devotional book, the author took the story of Abraham (almost) sacrificing Isaac and continued using the word "availability" to describe Abraham. Some excerpts...

"I marvel at the faith and availability to God that Abraham shows here."
"And Abraham simply obeys...trusting in the faithful love of the God who asks this of him..."
"And God blesses the great availability of Abraham"

I was struck by the timing of this passage coming into my life, the day after Ash Wednesday when I'm still contemplating what I will be giving up this season. I had already chosen to give up TV, for reasons such as I spend too much time watching it and not being productive. I knew giving up TV would be good for my school work, the cleanliness of my house and my relationship with Aaron. But, this morning as I was reading about the availability of Abraham, I was hit with desire for that kind of availability as well! The kind of availability that comes from a deep intimacy with God, one that is able to hear His voice at any point and to trust in what it says.

So, this season of Lent, as we wait and prepare for the celebration of the resurrection, I hope to cultivate more availability in my life. Not only by turning off the TV, but also by turning off Facebook (which I felt God was strongly asking me to do this morning) and spending more time in silence, in relationship and in just being.

I can already sense the goodness this season will bring, and I hope the same for you.

P.S. if you are interested, the book I am reading, which admittingly is for school, is An Ignatian Introduction to Prayer by Timothy M. Gallagher.

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