Ahhh, it’s the season of Lent once again. As part of my own Lenten Journey, I will be
incorporating a daily devotional rather than just giving something up. I have determined that I
will be more intentional in my time with God because I want to grow closer to God every single
day of my life. Some days I do better than others….but I’m trying. I still consider myself a
work in progress but God doesn’t give up on me so I keep moving forward toward the arms of
my loving God. I keep moving toward the cross and the love of Jesus Christ.
I have started reading a book of blessings called “The Lives We Actually Have; 100 Blessings
for Imperfect Days” by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie. With that in mind, I want to share from
that book a blessing for Lent.
Bless This Lent?
What is Lent? Lent marks the forty days leading up to Easter, mirroring the forty days Jesus
spent in the wilderness. It is a practice that began during the fourth century as a way to prepare
Christians for the holiest days of the year.
During Lent, we ask God to show us the world as it is. We begin with the reality of our finitude
rubbed on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday - from dust we were made, to dust we shall return.
Then, we walk through that reality in a kind of dress rehearsal. It’s the downward slope of God-
The Great Descent, where the whole church walks toward the cross.
Frankly, Lent is my favorite part of the church calendar, because it is a time when the whole
church is on the losing team. A time when we all get a minute to tell the truth: Life is so
beautiful, and life is so hard. For everyone.
Of course, the cross isn’t the end of the story, but this season of grief is carved out to
acknowledge the reality of Christ’s sacrifice. And the reality of suffering that so many of our
circumstances reflect too-our own pain and grief and despair. Easter is coming, yes. But for
now, we sit in the ashes of our broken dreams and broken hearts, knowing that God sits here
with us.
Many people practice Lent by giving something up-alcohol, meat, chocolate, social media.
Some take up something new-a new prayer practice or swearing profusely, like I did one year.
But Lent is an incredible moment for spiritual honesty, we are practicing here. Together, we’re
going to bless the days we have, while longing for the future God promised, when there will be
no tears, no pain, and no email.
Lent lasts for a full forty days but Sundays don’t count. They are mini-Easters, where we take a
day off from whatever we’re abstaining from, days to remind us that we are made for both grief
and joy, sorrow and delight. Strangely, this might feel like a hard thing to do-to make yourself
stop working or worrying and really rest.
But over the next six weeks, you’re invited to press against that part of your wiring that tells
you that you must always be accomplishing, producing, processing-that everything must be for
something. And take a day off from the Lenty-y feelings to practice the discipline of Sabbath.
Rest! Eat! Enjoy!
Friends, I pray this reading will bless your Lenten journey, whether you’ve decided to give
something up or incorporate a new spiritual practice, or both, or neither. Know that wherever
you are, God is with you. Whoever you are, in this very moment, God loves you. And wherever
you’re heading, Jesus is waiting for you with open arms, hoping you’ll grow closer to God
every single day.
Jesus loves you and so do I. May you have a blessed Lent.
Peace & Blessing,
Pastor Dianna
Sunday School