Pastor's Pondering...

Lent

“The season of Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and self-examination, in preparation for the celebration of the resurrection of the Lord at Easter. It is a period of forty days. (The Sundays in Lent are not counted in this reckoning of the time between Ash Wednesday and Easter, as every Lord’s Day is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.)” (PCUSA Website)

So, I ponder…if and what am I going to do to prepare myself to once again renew myself and celebrate the almighty power of our Triune God, experienced through the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Like I have shared before, my Star Word for 2025 is “True”. So, I thought, how can I integrate this idea of “True” into my Lenten practice this year?

One of the “spiritual practices” I like to engage in during Lent is the practice of “Forty Days/Forty Bags”. It is the practice of cleaning out one area (drawer/closet/shelf/file) per day, and sort through and get rid of the items that are no longer needed or bring “joy.” By the way, this can include the stopping of “doing” things”, so your “life/time” is not so cluttered.

I am always amazed at how much “stuff”, physical and emotional, that I am holding on to. And, when I think about it, how it blocks and affects my relationship with God. By letting go/getting rid of “stuff”, I am more open to being present and being and doing what I am called to be and do. So, I am going to try (no promises) to declutter my life, working to keep only those things that truly are who and what I am and help me be true to God’s calling.

In the words of Ann Weems (From “Kneeling in Jerusalem”):

“Lent”
Lent is a time to take the time
to let the power of our faith story take hold of us,
a time to let the events get up and walk around in us,
a time to intensify our living unto Christ,
a time to hover over the thoughts of our hearts,
a time to place our feet in the streets of Jerusalem
or to walk along the sea and listen to his word,
a time to touch his robe and feel the healing surge through us,
a time to ponder and a time to wonder…
Lent is a time to allow a fresh new taste of God!

Peace and grace,
Pastor Elizabeth