
Lent!
Do you observe it, or not?
Do you give something up for Lent, or not?
In the past I’ve argued strongly that as it’s not taught in the Bible we don’t have to worry; yet my experience of observing Lent has been spiritually and physically beneficial as a preparation for Easter.
But what to give up?
- Alcohol?
- Chocolate?
- Social Media?
- Netflix?
- My phone? – Come on be realistic!
One year a friend of mine gave up spoons for Lent. Madness!
‘Living Lent’ is a new initiative challenging Christians and churches to make personal commitments to changing lifestyles for the climate. Those involved are invited to explore what it means to open ourselves up to whole life change…for the climate.
Have a look at their website here:
It means approaching Lent quite differently, by being prepared to make significant personal commitments to changing our lifestyles for the climate, such as:
- Giving up single use plastics
- Going meat-free, or even free of animal products
- Committing to finding alternative modes of transport.
- Giving up electricity for an hour every day
- Committing to buying food produced as locally as possible
- Buying nothing new for the whole of Lent.
Opening ourselves up for whole life change for the climate is very biblical which is why I’m so inspired by it. It’s about hungering and thirsting for righteousness, in our relationship with God and with the world. It’s about exploring the Lenten wilderness. Lent is a time of self-discipline in order to grow in our discipleship. Our environmental damage is making more of our earth barren wilderness; we should travel there to have our eyes opened for our need for renewal. It’s about being transformed by and in our relationships. Doing this together matters, because a community encourage, challenge and grow. It’s about our Christian call to love our neighbours. Climate change impacts the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world already. Our Christian call to bear the burdens of our weakest members means that those of us in the affluent west need to recognise our own abuse of the earth’s resources.
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. God created this planet and declared it very good. The creation – and everyone in it – is precious to God, and this should be reflected in the way we treat it too.
I’m following ‘Living Lent’ personally this year, but the challenge is to pursue this together as a church. What do you think? Imagine the impact of our whole church family getting behind this idea, even if we only do it for 40 days the impact could be felt forever.
I’d love to hear from you, so take a moment to look at the ‘Living Lent’ website and let me have your thoughts and ideas on what you are doing for Lent and what we could do together as a church.
I look forward to your comments and suggestions
See you Sunday