If Lent is a time to “up our game” when it comes to our faith practices, I wonder how that’s going? Has the concept of Lent traditionally being a time of prayer, fasting and giving inspired you lately? Maybe thinking of Lent as an invitation to simplify or slow down is more helpful that upping your game.
I encourage you to continue to look for opportunities in your daily life to worship God in the ordinary. Pray for your family – out loud or in silent. Try a silent commute. No radio, or podcast or background noise. If you work from home, pray or worship before you log in. Or simply be still in God’s presence. Listen for the Holy Spirit. Keep watch: Look for something of the Lord to fill in the spaces freed up by your fasting. Look for ways to bless others – the ones right in front of you.
Here’s something I’m trying to practice lately: If I hear myself complaining or criticizing others, I stop and pray for them instead. Out loud or in silence. I simply ask God to bless them and keep them. It’s amazing how this simple practice is helping me be more compassionate in my thoughts and also it helps with the guilty feelings I experience of being unkind toward others.
And here’s one more idea: talk about Lent with your people. Chat with friends or family about how their faith. If they are engaging in Lent share your stories together. Encouraging one another is God’s plan for us. So ya know a great place to do that is TOMORROW at Church in the Living Room!
Please join us Sunday, March 1 at 11:00am at the Ross’s. Notice the change of time. We’re trying this for a while at the request of the night owls among us. So come on over at 11:00. We’ll get started on time, so feel free to come over a few minutes early if you like. Tomorrow we’ll share communion and begin a series of reflections on the body of Christ – the church. I’m hoping God will speak to us about our little church and guide as we pray and reflect together.
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