Ash Wednesday, Lent, & Fasting...

Depending on which set of statistics you believe, American consumers use somewhere between 15 and 40 percent of the world's resources, despite having about 5 percent of the world's population. Lent is a good time to reflect on this fact and ask how we might change this.

One of the most dominant gospel stories is the Feeding of the Five Thousand. Although I am unable to explain the story logically, it seems that somehow Christ was able to take a small offering and turn it into enough for all. And perhaps, for those who are considering what it means to be a follower of God in the Way of Jesus, this might be a guiding narrative for us. Perhaps, instead of living with the fear of never having enough, we could find a way to rest in God's goodness and learn to be content.

At CC and TG we have been studying the parables and of late we have been looking at the great banquet and the cost of discipleship in Luke 14. It has been amazing to see that not only is there this free invitation for all to the Kingdom of God, but there is a level of commitment as well. We are not simply to respond to an RSVP and say we will be there, we have to show up and participate.

In the section about the cost of discipleship it is clear that we are to count the cost - to think about it - knowing that sacrifice will be necessary. But what is it that we sacrifice in our current culture? The parable brings up the issue of allegence and who or what should be our priority. The picture is that Christ should be above all - even family - which particularly back then in Jewish culture was an enormous sacrifice. But what about today?

I think one of the biggest things we as a culture have to be willing to consider is the use of our time. Our culture is not content, we do not rest, and we are always wanting more. This lack of contentment pushes us towards business and this business distracts us to the point that our relationship with God becomes a limited prayer for meals and if we're really commited we'll even show up to church.

What about one on one time with God? What about silence and solitude? As my blog quotes Ferris Beuller "life moves pretty fast, if we don't stop and look around once and a while we could miss it" our lives have gotten so busy from a lack of contentment that we have no time for God and we're missing our life as it flies by. The other thing that I have found is that not only are we busy in action, but in thought. As a result, it is very difficult to find times of complete silence. Cause even in our physical silence are minds are silently thinking about all that we have to do [or should be doing].

So this year I am going to try to fast from business and noise. I am going to try to allow for more space in my schedule for God both in physical time [less work appts after hours]and in solitude [silence - less music, tv, etc]. The other thing I feel God is calling me to do with my space for God is to be more focused on relationships with those in my community. So pray for me as we see how to do so with our neighbors!

Just some things I've been pondering. If you would like a free downloadable guide/journal for lent I have one for you. It was made by Rob Bell who does the nooma videos and is the lead pastor at Mars Hill Bible Church in MI. There is another free downloadable resource that goes along with the nooma video entitled noise which is a great way to enter lent. Just follow the link below. I hope all is well and that God will bless you with rest, space, and his peace!

Lent.Resources
note: you will have to scroll down on the page a bit to find it