Lent: Where This Time is Taking Me
Posted on March 12, 2008
Filed Under Deeper Walk |
We are nearing the homestretch of Lent. This has been a significant journey. Forty days - it isn’t exactly eternal, but in our instant society, forty days of anything tests our will and discipline. Really, for me, I think Lent simply tests our attention. Can I pay attention to God’s ongoing work for a stretch of days? Must I always be moving on to the next thing, the next truth, the rush, the next idea? Can I just sit and wait and hope and listen and receive?
And this is not all sour stuff. As I read this morning, one writer pointed out how the Taize Book of Common Prayer refers to Lent’s forty days as “a celebration of the joy of God’s forgiveness.” I like that.
Hear are a few things this stretch of Lent is telling me (reminds me, really):
+I am too tied to technology, particularly email. I want to shut it down more often.
+Food is intended for joy and pleasure (as well as nourishment, of course), but it can also be a way of hiding. In my youth, food (and lots of it) was one of our few acceptable vices. Now, I often run to food when I’m bored or anxious or angry or afraid. I’d rather run to God.
+God wants to heal my broken places; he really does.
+I love my wife and boys … (in the words of Dick Cheney) big time.
+Something’s up. God is stirring. God is moving. Risk and joy and life ahead.
Has Lent reminded you of any truths?
peace / Winn
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This lent I fasted from playing the piano.
I finished the fast the other day, and What I have recognised is that when I play piano, often I am trying to live up to someone’s expectations.
My own expectation of wanting to play, like, really cool music that sounds like it was written by Hans Zimmer.
My high school music teachers’ expectations that I play in a 20th century classical style, always making “new” things in my music.
I think maybe it is just good ot be ABLE to play the piano and give glory to God. Maybe I should just sound like Jonathan,a nd not Hans or Harry Gregson Williams or anything.
Thanks for listening
Jonathan