The Lenten Journey: How do you experience Lent?
There seems to be, on the part of some, an a version to Lent. A major part of this aversion is that Lent, used as the Church intends it, leads us to confront the reality of our mortality and the reality of our life as it is lived on a day to day basis. It is not a denial of the resurrection, rather, Lent is a time that allows us to engage in the examination that leads us to praise and thanksgiving that in spite of who we are and what we have done, Christ has taken our sin upon Himself and restored us to God in freedom.
The Church, on Ash Wednesday, invites us to full participation in the Lenten discipline. As Joel writes, “rend your hearts and not your garments.” The Church reminds us that from dust we have come and to dust we will return. I tend to think of Lent as a time to “get over ourselves.” As much as I hate to admit it, I am not the center of the universe and it is not all about me. The culture would tell me otherwise, much as Satan did to Adam and Eve. We are not called to be like God. We are creatures. Lent can help us get things into perspective.
Prayer and Fasting seem appropriate to me. I don’t think we are called to only fast from food. This can be a time to fast from anything that seems to be controlling our lives or, even worse, blocking our ability to see the God who is fully present. Fasting is a stripping away of those false supports in our lives. What is it that keeps us from living the abundant life promised in John 10:10? The author of Hebrews (chpt 12) invites us to “lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely.” Prayer and fasting allow space for the Holy Spirit to reveal what holds us back. The Holy Spirit then releases the weights in the process of daily conversion. What outstanding freedom.
Retreats are a way to experience Lent. It is working out for me to do a six day guided retreat this year. I am both terrified and excited at the same time. I know that God will lead in wonderful ways but I don’t know if I want to go through the pain of conversion; and yet, I know that this is what I am called to do.
So, how do you experience Lent? What is meaningful in your discipline and practice? What do you anticipate for the Lenten journey this year?
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Lent this year is spent with a new community. I am not sure what to expect, or if I should expect anything. However, I am beginning to see a personal need for a balance of scripture and practice of my beliefs.
The lenten season has allowed for me to plug-in to the traditional form of worship and Bible study that is found in churches all around the world. I can honestly say I have found comfort in somethings that never change. Yet, I question if this comfort is spiritual sloth or heart felt sanctuary.
Much of this season for me is going to be focusing on God and His work in my life. I feel like times come where we associate our own faith development with the actions of faithful christians. My faith isn’t dependant on my actions of Bible study, faithful worship, prayer, and meditation. These things are good, but don’t achieve what God truly desires. God wants me to fully submit and understand His full grace in my human weakness. There is nothing in this world that can bring me to God except His Spirit working in my life.
Submitting to this reality is part of my spiritual journey for Lent. To fully understand dependance on God for my spiritual needs and physical needs. To know more fully that my practice is motivated by Him who gives me the strength to worship. My prayer is that God will grant to me a heart that seeks Him more in my day to day and minute by minute.
Years ago, it came to me in a blinding flash - God probably did not really care whether or not I ate chocolate during Lent. My pious, holier than thou posturing probably didn’t get me to a deeper spiritual place, either.
That Lent was a turning point for me, as season of adding something. The something that year was regular visits by phone and in person with my favorite aunt, whose world was shrunken to the size of a recliner, by advanced MS. Yes, I am sure that I carried a Lady Bountiful image with me, only to discover that it was my aunt who ministered to me that Lent. She taught me to sit quietly and observe the grace of a lively mind, engaged with all who came her way and a larger world that entered her world, when she could no longer enter it. She taught me that it is as a human being, not a human doing, we are made in the image of God. She taught me to be still… Not a natural enterprise for an over-the-top extrovert.
So, what will this Lent hold? Ash Wednesday, I spent at the Mayo Clinic with a dear friend of long standing, who is battling chronic and recurrent squamous cell cancer, a byproduct of the gift of a transplanted kidney. She awaits the arrival from Russia of her first grandchild. All is unknown … except for the one who traveled this road first and now is on the road with her,offering the ultimate prize,with the credibility of having been there.
With Luther, I’ve learned to say, “I just want to be among it.” I thank God for the teachers who open their lives to me and invite me inside. listening to Jesus … who so often speaks in the voices of those who love Him.
Jeff, your wrote, “My faith isn’t dependant on my actions of Bible study, faithful worship, prayer, and meditation. These things are good, but don’t achieve what God truly desires. God wants me to fully submit and understand His full grace in my human weakness.” I so agree with these words. My major response would be, however, that while my faith is not dependent upon Bible study, worship, prayer, etc. it is important that one present oneself before the Lord that the Spirit might work through Word and Sacrament. It is important to “show up.” God is always the subject and the power.
Marilyn, it is so true that we walk with the One who has been there before.
I just finished a week long guided retreat. What a wonderful experience of reading, prayer, meditation and growth. I had the privilege of working with a spiritual director each day who helped me see the presence of God and to hear the gentle voice of God in my life. For my Lenten experience, this has been particularly rich.
I think my eyes have been opened to what God wants me to see during this years lent event. My desire to understand a communities walk of faith is rich, but God desires the full devotion of my heart, soul, and strenght. We are always in a place of being emptied and being filled at the same time. We may miss the call to be an instrament if we meditate on self rather than the work of Chrsit. I have been reminded of the security we find in our Savior. I have also been reawakened to my identity in Christ and His community.
I agree that to meditate on oneself can really become idolatry. Yet, to allow the Christ to journey in to our lives and open the doors that hold in the demons is a way for Lent to be a transformative experience. I am fully set free in my Baptism, Christ’s healing presence makes the freedom a reality and THEN I can serve others.