Journey through Lent

Nana Dolce, an author  and visiting lecturer at the Women's Teaching Lab at Reformed Theological Seminary in Washington says of Lent, “What is more important than the practices we take on is the heart attitude behind them. If there’s anything we should give up this time of year, it’s our sense of superiority either to those outside the church or those inside the church who do things differently than we do. The cross levels us all. And that’s true whether or not you practice Lent.”

However, of such practice, Paul writing to the Philippians said, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7  and  “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9

As we consider this verse for ourselves, we must ask these questions. Do we see and recognise these attributes of which Paul spoke? Are we practicing them as we live? Are we near to God? Do we have the peace of God guarding us? I do not know about you, but in studying this list of attributes Christ portrayed and considering myself, I recognise I need to grow more. To do this I will have to study God’s Word, pray to Him for the power to overcome the temptation that leads me to fall short of these goals, and practice the attributes. As I do these, my relationship with God deepens and I begin to look more like Christ. I begin to emulate Him and portray His characteristics.

A minister was being shown through a large weaving mill where one of his parishioners worked. Mentioning that particular employee to the foreman, the pastor said, "I suppose that John is one of your best workers." The foreman responded, ’No, I’m sorry to say he isn’t. The trouble with John is that he stands around talking about his religion when he ought to be attending to his loom. He is a good enough fellow and has the making of a fine weaver, but he hasn’t learned yet that while he is on the job his religion ought to come out of his fingers and not out of his mouth."

God of peace,

cause us to rejoice in you always,

make us gentle to everyone,

keep us from being anxious about anything—

help us to ask you for what we need, with thanksgiving;

and let your peace

guard our hearts and minds

in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.