Dearly Beloved,
Grace and peace to you, Van Meter UMC Family!
What kind of decision maker are you? Are you a "decide-first-and-ask-questions-later" decision-maker? Or a "historical decision-maker", who makes decisions in light of what we have done in the past? Or a "jump-on-the-latest-trend" decision-maker, eager to adopt new technologies or ways of doing things because new is always interesting? Or a thoughtful decision-maker, who likes to gather all the facts and weigh all the options before deciding? What all these decision-makers have in common is each is evaluating information in order to make a choice. We are wise to be intentional in examining the facts before making a decision.
This month we continue in the season of Lent. Historically, Lent was a time of preparation for the initiation of people into the Christian life through baptism. It is also a time for us as a faith community to prepare our hearts and minds for the miracle of Easter by choosing to reaffirm the vows of the baptismal covenant. Lent is not about being miserable or sad in anticipation of Good Friday. The Sundays of Lent are not part of the forty days of Lent and so remain "little Easters," as are all Sundays. Fasting and giving up something can be part of Lenten disciplines, but so can choosing to take on practices of kindness, generosity, encouragement, or a spiritual practice that helps us grow closer to God. Just as important decision-making requires us to be intentional in examining the relevant facts and possible solutions, so also, we must be intentional in our individual and communal preparation to reaffirm our commitment to living into the baptismal covenant as Jesus' disciples in our everyday lives.
Instead of giving up something for Lent, I encourage you to try a different, simple spiritual practice each day of Lent. I have included four ideas to get you started in this article. You can get the full list of Forty Simple Practices For Lent by contacting the church office or by clicking here. Choose a different practice for each day of Lent or focus on one or two you will keep over the entire season of Lent. Trying new practices will help you grow and become more the person God has created you to be in your everyday lives. Be accountable to at least one other person by sharing with them the practice(s) you are committing to do. Check in with each other each week to see how you are doing in keeping your commitment. Encourage each other in love. Caution: You may be changed in ways you never imagined!
Here is a sample of ideas to get you started:
Day Four - Pray for your friends and for your enemy(s) by name. Bless them, one by one. Think of the person you
most struggle to love and pray for them as a beloved child of God.
Day Five - If you normally listen to a podcast or music or watch TV, choose silence for the day.
Day Six - Unfollow or mute five social media accounts that make you feel angry, afraid, or envious.
Day Seven - Read Psalm 51 three times out loud in a different Bible translation than you usually read. Notice the differences.
Remember, as you live into these spiritual practices, God is the One who leads you and shows you the way to growing spiritually. Are you ready to follow where God wants to lead you?
May this Lenten season of preparation be a blessing to you and your family, that you may be a blessing to others by the example you set and the love you embody.
In Christ's great love,
Pastor Cathy Nutting