Today is the final Sunday before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent.
Lent is a season of giving up something(s) in our lives that we normally enjoy to allow for a deeper focus on what Jesus the King has done for us. Lent is a traditional 46 day fast, which includes 40 days of fasting (Mondays-Saturdays) and a weekly day of communal celebration (Sundays)… and culminates on Resurrection Sunday (or Easter).
Last year, I wrote about my family’s annual Lent rhythm, gave a bit of further insight on Lent, and provided some helpful resources that many in our community at Remedy Church have discovered during this season of fasting and feasting.
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that creates an intentional void within our lives. This void reminds us to be filled with deeper devotion to Jesus the Christ.
While we were in Haiti last month, we visited a sustainable artisans’ guild called the Apparent Project which works to preserve Haitian families and prevent children from being orphaned by empowering artisans to care for their families’ with dignity and hope.
The artisans at the Apparent Project create amazing art from discarded materials like oil drums, trash paper, and cardboard cereal and cracker boxes.
After only a few moments watching one of the artisans create a jewelry bead from a triangle strip of cardboard on a stick and a small tube of glue, Rance sat down and began creating. He didn’t even hesitate long enough to ask permission or pause to consider the probability of failure.
There was such focus in his face and determination in his hands. We all stopped moving and watched. We stopped our activity to observe his activity. We smiled and paused as this ever-moving and ever-exploring jitterbug of a boy sat on the edge of a Haitian concrete wall, slowed his breathing, and moved his fingers over the reclaimed strip of cardboard with skill.
He was inspired and he moved to act on that inspiration.
And that’s exactly what Lent is all about.
Faith. Forgiveness.
Remembrance. Inspiration.
Hope. Healing. Emptyhandedness.
We determine to act on the inspiration.
This year, the elders at Remedy have decided to host two Ash Wednesday gatherings for reflection, worship, and prayer. You are invited to begin your Lent rhythm in community with us on the third floor of the City Center at 6am or 6pm this week.
Regardless, of your Lent rhythm, please remember that we are called out of our isolation and into community during this season of remembering and forsaking.
Join.
Love and be loved.
Act on the inspiration with others.