From the Desk of the Pastor

“Our Lenten Journey”

 

     Growing up as a child, I remember hearing folks talk about “giving up something for Lent.” Usually they gave up something they really liked , such as chocolate or ice cream or candy.  If you were brought up Catholic it meant having only fish to eat on Friday.

     I was impressed by their resolve.  Even those who seemed to exhibit little interest in spiritual things during the rest of the year, at least for six weeks they were willing to enter into some kind of self-denial.  But I wondered if they really took it to heart.

     The real reason we have these disciplines is not to lose weight or impress others, but that God might shape us into becoming the kind of Christian we are called to be.  Lent calls us to include spiritual rhythms that hopefully guide us into a more meaningful life of prayer, fasting, self-examination, and repentance.

         Left to ourselves, we probably would not choose to devote a whole season to such a rigorous and demanding disciplines, but god knows we need it. I also find that the season of Advent is much more appealing than Lent. Advent is about the joy of receiving. Lent is about giving up and dying to our old self.

         So what should our Lenten Journey look like between now and Easter, March 23rd. Let me offer a few suggestions. If you’re struggling with issues related to ego and pride, perhaps you need to say no to activities that feed your pride. If you’re struggling with gossip and carelessness of your speech, maybe you need more refection and daily silence.

         If you’re feeling exhausted with too many things going on in your life, then maybe you need to go on a retreat with God. Read a good book (you might start with the Bible), as you ask God to reveal the deep source of your tiredness and ask for strength.

         If you tend towards the sin of gluttony and know your eating patterns are out of control, then make a daily routine to exercise or consider some level of fasting. If your prayer life has been lacking, then commit yourself to a regular rhythm of prayer.

         Now I know it’s easy for me to give advice. If I’m going to practice what I preach then I also need to take heart. One of the great temptations of leadership is that we can become so focused on leading others that we, ourselves, don’t take the lead of developing a deeper spiritual; life.

         So I encourage you to journey with me this Lenten season. Jesus knew the journey would be difficult for him as he “set his face towards Jerusalem.” He realized a cross waited there. But he was obedient even though a different path would have been much easier to take. If we truly desire spiritual transformation in our lives, then we also have to be more intentional in drawing closer to God.

                                    Something to think about?

                                             Mark Nieuwsma

                                             Interim Minister

 

Easter