Admit you are sick, so The Doctor can heal

Today's readings: Isaiah 58:9-14; Psalm 86:1-6; Luke 5:27-32

1. “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.  I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” (Luke 5:31-32)

Lent has just started, but how many people have already changed or stopped their Lenten commitments? So many times in life we have the greatest intentions to change, but then life starts to get in the way. We start to become busier, or we aren't feeling like there is any progress with these changes, so we allow ourselves to let up.
 
It is important though to get back up. To admit we are sinners, that we need 'a doctor'. When we allow God to permeate our heart at those times we grow so much. I think it helps us to become more humble. So that each time Christ invites us to follow him we have greater strength to say yes. 
 
We can see in these readings that when Christ asks us to follow him it includes giving of ourselves to those who are in need.  Helping others to see their dignity and worthiness allows for them to take a step closer to Christ.  We become a light to those in darkness, and in turn we begin to gain a greater appreciation for our own dignity.  This allows Christ to lead us more in our lives.  But, we must put away our own wants and desires.   In our fallen world, it is natural that this is hard.  In recognizing that we are putting our needs first, we have the opportunity to change our choices. Christ gives us the opportunity to begin again.
 
I think that is a great lesson during Lent. We may fall in our Lenten commitment or maybe we just haven't made any yet.  Lent is a time to be stretched. When you fall...it is not the time to give in. It is the time to turn to ‘the great doctor' and seek healing for our weaknesses, find strength to get back up...and work on becoming a better Christian.
 
With most diets or times when we give something up/quit something, the first few days are always the hardest. I think these verses really give us encouragement at the beginning of Lent.  If you have fallen, Jesus asks us to take his hand so he can help us back up and follow him.  Today let us remember that we are sinners.  We need the doctor to heal us of our infirmities.  When we accept our weaknesses, Christ will turn them into our strengths and will help us to serve those in our path and help all people to see the beautiful love of God.  He is giving us the ability to follow him.