Lent is the season in the Christian year when we take a hard look at
ourselves and our faith. It’s a season of asking probing questions
--questions like: "Am I ready for Jesus?" "If Christ were here, would I
recognize him? Would he recognize me as his disciple?" "If it were a crime
to be a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict me?" "Am I
reflecting the light of the resurrection in my life?"
Lent is an important time to examine your life and the direction of your
faith journey. There is no more important work in life than becoming a
mature Christian. The choices we make shape us. Reflecting on these choices
can help us grow.
We choose what we believe. The beliefs we choose define reality for us.
Some beliefs open up our mind and heart -- other beliefs close us down. In
Matthew 34:3-4, the devil kept tempting Jesus to close down his perspective
-- to make him define life "by bread alone." Jesus made the spiritually
mature choice -- to let the word of God be what fed his life. It opened his
eyes to God’s presence.
We also choose what we do. Our actions shape our character, and our
character predisposes us to a "habit of being." Flannery O’Connor used that
term in a collection of her stories. All her characters had a habit of
being, as she showed in their triumphs and tragedies. We practice our being
with every action. The question is, who are you being and becoming with your
actions and your attitude?
We are formed as persons though our interaction with existence. We are
not always responsible for what happens to us, but we are always responsible
for how we respond to what happens to us. Hatred, blaming, shaming, gossip,
playing the victim, are ways of avoiding responsibility. Jesus calls us to
mature faith that brings about spiritual health.
It takes practice being disciples of Christ. We practice in our worship
and in our life together. This Lent, I invite you to commit to grow in
deeper understanding and deeper faith maturity. Make a commitment to God
this Lenten season to grow in your faith. Challenge yourself to be ready for
the resurrection and ready for Jesus by choosing to:
be in church every Sunday, as well as Ash
Wednesday;
attend Rev. Dingman’s class on "The Hard Sayings of
Jesus";
talk with one of the pastors about deepening your sense
of discipleship;
join one of the small groups forming for the 40 days of
Lent.
Grow in Your Faith This Lenten Season
