On March 5th the season of Lent begins. For Christians, 40 days of preparation and reflection lead us to Holy Week, culminating with Resurrection Sunday on 20 April. Each year presents us with another opportunity to dive deeper into the gospel narrative, and 2000 years of Christian devotion has confirmed that embracing a practice and/or foregoing some activity during Lent allows us time and space to do exactly that, to re-consider. To look deeply again at the meaning and implications of Jesus choosing the cross, his death and resurrection, then announcing that we would never be apart from his Holy Spirit.
Lent is an invitation to create additional space in your life by preserving time for listening and prayer. By putting something else aside, we dedicate additional time to reflect and listen to what Holy Spirit is saying to you. You may have heard of what psychology terms a “21/90” approach. The 21/90 rule states that it takes 21 days to form a habit and 90 days until it sets as a permanent lifestyle change. Observing Lent puts us well on the way to a new life approach that will endure.
Can I offer you this year a moment of challenge to allow something to be released from your busy life, and then treat that extra time as sacred, as it becomes your space to approach God, listen, respond and dive deeper into God’s story.
This month we will also be considering the array of spiritual gifts, how we can identify these gifts, and consider how we might offer them for the common good.
Such a privilege to be in this with you. Shalom.
Matt