Why are you giving up for lent?
Giving things up for Lent has become part of the popular narrative in our contemporary society. Even people who wouldn't describe themselves as actively aligned with Christian faith will be no strangers to those conversations around what we might do without during this season. Alcohol, Chocolates or calories in general are often high on the list of candidates, though in our online age, technology has also increasingly become a feature of the season as people recognise the value of taking a break from social media, creating periods away from their phone or avoiding some other virtual indulgence. Such resolve is often short-lived, but the concept of 'giving it up for Lent is one that has traction well beyond the bounds of our church community.
At a recent training gathering for local leaders we talked together about the different ways our congregations navigate their way through this season. What rapidly
emerged are the many and diverse ways in which we do that. Some even spoke of taking things up for Lent, like times of regular prayer, or working our way through a devotional
narrative each day. Yet while our practices and ideas were quite different, we found quite clear common ground when we focussed on what these observances are intended to
achieve.
It was this that led us to consider whether a better question than 'What are you giving up for Lent?' might be'Why are you giving up for Lent?' and perhaps
if we are looking for ways to open up everyday conversations about the meaning of Lent with those who might not share our level of faith commitment, responding to the first question in terms
of the second might be a way of doing just that.
We have to be honest and say that for many, our good intentions for Lent are expressed in terms of health and wellbeing. Giving up the chocolate might also help us to shed
that bit of extra weight we put on over Christmas, while taking a break from our social media or mobile phone can be good for our mental wellbeing. But while these things
are completely commendable, they are somewhat removed from Lent's original purpose. This Christian season is intended as a reflection of the 40 days and nights that Jesus
spent in the wilderness at the outset of his adult ministry. We are similarly invited into a period of retreat and reflection as we prepare to remember the events of Holy Week
and Easter. So whether we are giving things up or adding things on - it might do us good to pause and consider why Lent is important to us. Some longstanding responses might be:
To renew our focus on God: We are invited to respond to the nagging hunger or repeated cravings by shifting our focus towards the God that we love and serve. It is a season
in which we are encouraged to draw closer and to deepen our relationship with God, motivated by intentional disciplines and adjustments in our lifestyle.
To heighten our appreciation of the world around us: The disciplines of Lent also urge us to stop and take notice; to take notice of ourselves; take notice of the people around us; take
notice of our world. And as we pause and reflect, seek to be more aware and more grateful for the goodness that we have received and more concerned for those whose needs remain unfulfilled. And
as we pause to take notice, an inevitable question is where do we see God at work in the circumstances around us and how might we respond to what we discover?
To seek forgiveness and renewal: Lent invites us to take a long hard look at ourselves and be truly honest about the person we are. And yet as we recognise our shortcomings, we do so not
in cringing fear, but in the face of a loving, merciful and forgiving God. It is an opportunity to be open to God's renewing Holy Spirit, to be forgiven, renewed and re-equipped to lives as
followers of Jesus.
To re-embrace the call of discipleship: This is a season to remember that above anything else we are called to follow Jesus. In making deliberate changes to our routines, we open ourselves to
be challenged to consider what narratives and priorities have overtaken our lives since we last did this. It is a season to re-centre ourselves on that call to discipleship and re-commit
ourselves to the faith journey ahead.
As different people, with different life circumstances and routines, we should not be surprised that our approaches to Lent are equally different. But even if we change nothing, the
question 'Why?' is still a significant one. In seeking to be faithful followers of Jesus, our desire is always to draw ever closer to God, to be heighten our awareness of God's
presence and purpose in our world and to commit ourselves to a journey of continuing discipleship.
Ever present God,
At a time when so many other concerns might absorb our attention,
In a world where conformity, ritual and routine
Can easily become more important than the
purpose for which it is intended,
Help us find ways to deepen our relationship with you,
To notice and listen to what you might be saying,
To be honest with ourselves - confident of
your love and forgiveness,
To commit ourselves anew to follow where you lead
To know you;
To love you
And to walk in your ways.
AMEN