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Lent

I discovered this quotation on the internet about Lent:

"Lent, those days before Easter that commemorate the 40 days Jesus spent out in the wilderness before his ministry began, invites us to contemplate our own Christian journey and consider the disciplines we need to become the people God intends us to become."

Some people will choose to give something up for Lent, others perhaps might decide to take up something positive that they wouldn’t usually do. But this quotation reminds me of the central purpose of Lent:  for us to examine our lives and ask the questions we don’t always think about – who we are, how we live, and how we can become more like the person that God wants and intends us to be.

This may seem inward looking, but that is not a bad thing! Of course it should not remain introspective but should be a challenge to us to put what we learn into practice. I am sure that prayer and action go together; they certainly aren’t opposites. God engages with us in prayer so that we can be strengthened and prompted to live out our faith in our everyday lives.

You still may choose to give up chocolate or take up more exercise for Lent. Please also take time to stop and reflect, to consider the fact that God invites you to join with him on a wonderful journey of discovery as each of us learns more about who we are, and about how, despite our failings, God still chooses us to be his companions, and also companions to each other as part of the people of God.

(Revd.) Kevin Jones

Beliefs of the United Reformed Church