Revd Helen Writes …

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  Over the last few years ‘Dry January’ has become increasingly popular. I’ve heard that some people are trying a Vegan February, although that seems to be slower to catch on. Now, in March, the season of Lent is about to start – another traditional time for giving things up. The most popular things to give up in Lent are always chocolate, alcohol or biscuits. That list doesn’t seem to change much from year to year and I wonder what that says about the effectiveness of giving them up? Could it be that we give things up for the six weeks of Lent, not so much for spiritual reasons, but more because we still want to lose some of that extra weight we put on by eating too much at Christmas and which we still have to lose because we then didn’t manage to keep up the New Year’s Resolution that we made in January?

 

  At one stage in early Church history those wishing to become Christians often underwent lengthy preparation which ended with a 40-day period of prayer and fasting before their baptism at Easter. Don’t worry, we have a much less demanding approach to baptism now! This reflected the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness before his ministry began, a time to really consider the big questions of life without other demands and distractions crowding in. So, the early Christians did the same. They fasted, and this fasting wasn’t giving up luxury items like chocolate or prosecco, cheese or beer, but rather they ate just one meal a day and gave up all meat and fish for six days of each week. And it wasn’t to lose weight or become physically healthier but a desire to give fuller attention to the important questions in life.

 

  In today’s culture where we like to make snappy decisions, do things immediately and have instant gratification, how often do we put aside time to ask ourselves what actually matters in life. Our lives are so over-busy, over-full and packed with distractions. There is rarely time to be quiet or still. Some of us can find that every moment of every day is crammed full of deadlines and responsibilities, or just crammed with all kinds of other things. There’s always something to watch on TV; families to look after, meals to prepare, work to do. There can be some new activity to join in with, another meeting to go to, an email to answer, hobbies and interests to enjoy. And much of that is pleasurable and fun.

 

  But what if it squashes other things out? When do we then have the chance to think about life, about what we are putting our time and energy into, about what we hope for, about what really matters to us, to those we love, to God? Many of us need the opportunity to slow down a bit, to have some space and the opportunity to think and take stock. If that is something which interests you, then perhaps you would like to join one of our house groups where you are welcome to talk more about some of the thoughts and questions you may have.

 

  It’s also important to remember that The English word Lent is a shortened form of the Old English word len(c)ten, meaning “spring season”. It’s not about feeling gloomy for forty days; it’s not even about giving things up for forty days. Lent is springtime. It’s preparing for that great climax of springtime which is Easter – renewed life bursting through death. Whatever Lent is about, it is more than giving something up. It could be a good chance to take something up. It’s a rare chance to re-evaluate our lives, to think about what we might want to do next and to find a way to reconnect with God. With God’s grace Lent can be for us a season of growth and joyful preparation for the renewal of life which is the Easter gift of our Risen Lord.

 

With love and prayers

Helen Kempster