Lent Lent

This is my first time participating in Lent.

Growing up I am sad to day I did not even know what Lent meant (rhyme). Anything that remotely had to do with what those Catholics was off limits for us evangelicals. Unfortunately, in our reactionary responses we throw out practices, disciplines, and rhythms for things that could greatly enrich our spiritual lives.

In this season of preparation for Resurrection Sunday it is good to remind ourselves of Christ's enormous sacrifice on our behalf. We don't give something up, or fast from something to attain God's favor in this time. Christ has accomplished it all. It is because of His finished work on that cross that we are redeemed and can be in relationship with Him. His favor rests on us not because of our merit, but because of Christ's work.

For me, at least this year, Lent is an opportunity for me to create more space for God. I chose/was led to give up all TV and movies. It has been my habit to watch Gilmore Girls, The Office, Lost or (my newest favorite from the BBC) MI-5. I am the first to say that I don't think there is anything wrong with that, but I am glad to change up my routine. Work can be crazy, busy. Maintaining the relationships I have take time and energy (time and energy well spent!). The weekly commitments I have take up time. The opportunities for alone and quiet I have are usually filled with the noise of my iPod, TV shows on DVDs, etc.

Silence and solitude are absolutely necessary for my relationship with God. It is humbling to be left with only yourself. I am so used to being distracted by a million different things that when I sit and look inward and see myself for what I really am, it unsettles me. Where to hide?

Here He comforts our souls with His words of tenderness and intimacy. Here is where we can hear God's voice gently prodding us to see our brokenness and acknowledge and own how we have sinned out of that brokenness. Here we see where we really are with the Lord. It's not in the doing - when we just be what we be we get a much better picture of where our souls are with God.

I feel like I am constantly re-learning how to be in relationship with God. I want measurable spirituality. I want an A - I want a progress report - I want to chart my improvement. (Sounds a lot like works...) It is challenging to ask myself not what I have done, but who I be. Do I truly long for Christ more each day. Do I have more affection for Him, His people and His Word than I did a month ago? Am I being formed in all parts of my person to the likeness and image of Christ? Are my inner most responses that of Christ?

So many thoughts - so hard to form sentences to give meaning to them. Very much in process, yes. That is definitely a theme of my life currently, and perhaps the rest of my days.

May I leave you with one of my most (recent) favorite quotes?

Discipline in the spiritual life is the concentrated effort to create the space and time where God can become our master and we can respond freely to God's guidance.

Thus, discipline is the creation of boundaries that keep time and space open for God.
Solitude requires discipline,
worship requires discipline,
caring for others requires discipline,.
They all ask us to set apart a time and a place where God's gracious presence can be acknowledged and responded to.

-Henri Nouwen-