We are three days into Lent. It seems that the Lenten conversation, whether it be with ourselves or with others, often centers on two questions: What should I give up? What should I take on? Notice the word should, which seems to imply something I HAVE to do. But who said? Not God, not Jesus. If that isn’t the point, what is?
Taking a Biblical route to sort this out isn’t the rocky road I am being shown this year. Rather, I’m being led toward the presence of God, which is a relatively smooth, uncomplicated path—just do it. I was shown this path at the beginning of year when my reading for compassion project led me toward God’s presence, and now in March my Lenten pondering is doing the same.
Being present with (not to) God is the ultimate call, the reason for everything we do, be it giving something up or taking something on. To be at one with God—atonement, on-one-ment—to be in God’s presence. Lenten practices, be they fasting or taking on some responsibility, keep God in our consciousness and keep us in communion with God. They are a means to an end, not an end in and of themselves. Being with God, that’s it.
Taking a Biblical route to sort this out isn’t the rocky road I am being shown this year. Rather, I’m being led toward the presence of God, which is a relatively smooth, uncomplicated path—just do it. I was shown this path at the beginning of year when my reading for compassion project led me toward God’s presence, and now in March my Lenten pondering is doing the same.
Being present with (not to) God is the ultimate call, the reason for everything we do, be it giving something up or taking something on. To be at one with God—atonement, on-one-ment—to be in God’s presence. Lenten practices, be they fasting or taking on some responsibility, keep God in our consciousness and keep us in communion with God. They are a means to an end, not an end in and of themselves. Being with God, that’s it.
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