Pastoral Thought--February 22

As I said in worship recently, the time-length of Lent provides us an opportunity to not only reflect on our sinful choices, but we also find time in Lent to begin practicing our faith differently. 

For some that practice might include ‘giving something up for Lent.” Others will take time in this season to be mindful of their sins and resolve to live differently—as best as they can. Still other Christians that I know will just silently walk through Lent thinking about how much God loves us. They reflect on the suffering Messiah and quietly give thanks to God. All of these responses and choices are right and appropriate. 

We do not practice a faith that is “one-size” fits all. God did not create the relationship with humanity to be mirrored exactly in the in each individual. Our faith is personal. Our walk with God is as unique as it is personal and intimate. Simply because I as a pastor choose to walk through Lent in one way does not mean that you as the congregation must walk in the same way. These 40 days provide us ample time and space to practice and live our faith accordingly. 

But regardless of how you personally live in Lent, there is a beginning, there is a middle, to our faith walk. You cannot shortcut the work of growing your faith because you and God are on a well-worn path together. . .

In his book, The Road Less Travelled, psychiatrist M. Scott Peck observes: 

"There are many people I know who possess a vision of [personal] evolution yet seem to lack the will for it. They want, and believe it is possible, to skip over the discipline, to find an easy shortcut to sainthood. Often they attempt to attain it by simply imitating the superficialities of saints, retiring to the desert or taking up carpentry. Some even believe that by such imitation they have really become saints and prophets, and are unable to acknowledge that they are still children and face the painful fact that they must start at the beginning and go through the middle."

The timing of Lent provides us the opportunity to follow Peck’s words and advice. We do not have to rush through the season as we might in Advent. Instead, we can walk slower. . . more deliberately. . . with God. In this way we do not further our agenda only, but as we walk with God, we grow and we learn. 

I wonder if this week you can find some space, or locate a practice, or adopt a mindset, that you and God make uniquely yours? 

We are in a relationship that is personal, intimate, and special with God. That relationship is referenced about on the pages of the scriptures. When we take time to "be with" God in this way, we can find that we are no longer living alone in Lent, but we join together with the saints of the church to observe a holy Lent. 

Blessings

Rev. Derek