What brings renewal?

          One of my colleagues had an interesting suggestion for Lent this year.  She suggested to her congregation that we have all given up a lot over the past year, and maybe giving something else up for Lent might not be the most helpful thing to do.  Instead, she suggested being kind to ourselves – giving ourselves a break – and finding ways to be renewed in the presence of God.

          The Ash Wednesday service talks about the “discipline of Lent,” and names “self-examination and repentance, prayer and fasting, sacrificial giving and works of love.”  These things are intended to renew our relationship with God and to strengthen us in our faith and life.

          Because of these traditional disciplines, we normally have additional opportunities for worship and prayer during Lent – often with a designated ministry that we are supporting with additional offerings.  Self-examination and repentance are also a primary focus in the Ash Wednesday service – with a more detailed confession than usual.  As for fasting, sometimes this takes the form of giving something up (like chocolate, or coffee, or…).  The putting away of the Alleluia in our worship is also a part of the Lenten fast.

          For people who are already over-burdened, over-scheduled, or over-worked, it doesn’t seem particularly helpful to add on extra ministries and works of love and worship times during Lent.  In the same way, people who are struggling financially are going to find it hard to add on some extra giving.  In each case, perhaps it is a better idea to leave something behind in order to make space for renewing our relationship with God.

          For example, are there things on our schedules that can be set aside for a while?  Could we refrain from buying one coffee a week in order to give the same amount to minister to others?  Could we simply give ourselves a break rather than beating ourselves up over all of the things that we are not doing?  Can we set something aside that is merely a distraction in order to breathe deeply and grow in awareness of the presence of God?

          In some ways – because so many things are “virtual” or online this year – it is easier to join in worship and study and prayer.  The virtual Lenten pilgrimage can be done on your own time, or with others if you choose.  Holden Evening Prayer is not just at one time, but continues to be available afterwards.  Even our Sunday worship can be watched later if you don’t make it by 10:30 am.

          At the same time, there are some other things we have had to give up – like eating together, or having coffee together, or seeing one another in person.  There is give and take during this pandemic, just as there is in the suggestion to take something away in order to make space for God.

          May each of us find a way to be renewed during this Lenten journey, knowing that darkness seems to be deepest just before the dawn, and that the cross comes before resurrection.  For, the light continues to shine in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (Jn. 1:5).

          In Christ,

          Pastor Lynne Hutchison