Adapted from The Plural Guild "Lent Readiness Guide"
In the past, for many churchy types of various kinds, the season of Lent, the 40-odd days between Ash Wednesday and Easter, has been thought of as a dedicated time for self-reflection, for “spiritual renewal.” However, to be honest, what that turned into more often than not, was more like the spiritual equivalent of a fad diet, a concerted effort to give up “bad habits” and a time for trying to figure out how to be more holy - or at least look more “holy-ish.”
But what if Lent could be a time that really helped you see more clearly who you are and who you want to be? What if it could help you see how to respond to your own pain and anger and fear, and to the deep hurt of the world? What if it could help you feel more seen...and less alone? And find your way forward with some hope?
Of course, for some, Lent may be just a word you’ve heard people using and you’ve never been totally clear on what it’s all about except that it’s supposed to make you feel more spiritual and seems to involve not eating meat on Fridays and giving up Facebook for a while?? Or sugar??? Or wine???? Or swear words?
But what if practicing Lent could actually help you find a sense of grounded-ness when everything feels like it’s swirling? What if it could help you live with more honesty and fearlessness and self-care in the midst of the hard personal stuff we humans each have to deal with on a daily basis? What if it could give you space to not only express your own longings and laments, but also to take in God’s unrelenting love and grace?
This Lent let’s do Lent Another Way.
But what if Lent could be a time that really helped you see more clearly who you are and who you want to be? What if it could help you see how to respond to your own pain and anger and fear, and to the deep hurt of the world? What if it could help you feel more seen...and less alone? And find your way forward with some hope?
Of course, for some, Lent may be just a word you’ve heard people using and you’ve never been totally clear on what it’s all about except that it’s supposed to make you feel more spiritual and seems to involve not eating meat on Fridays and giving up Facebook for a while?? Or sugar??? Or wine???? Or swear words?
But what if practicing Lent could actually help you find a sense of grounded-ness when everything feels like it’s swirling? What if it could help you live with more honesty and fearlessness and self-care in the midst of the hard personal stuff we humans each have to deal with on a daily basis? What if it could give you space to not only express your own longings and laments, but also to take in God’s unrelenting love and grace?
This Lent let’s do Lent Another Way.
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