Lenten Reflection

Conversation between God and I before Lent began: 

God: Have you chosen what will you sacrifice this Lent?

ME: I don't know yet, I can't decide.

God: I will for you. Let's see, well, you will have to give up going out to eat.

Me: That's OK I really don't have the money to anyway.

God: ...And I'll need you to give up social media too

Me: Uhh, I'm not really cool with that...

God: No listening to or watching the nightly news...

Me: wait, what?!

God: It's stealing precious time away from those you love.

Me: ...I have no words...

It seems this time the season of Lent has really defined what God is calling a real "return" to Him.   Each Lent has been different. During this time, many strive to give up  (fast) from something and to give- in  and repent or turn away from destructive behaviors. Over the last couple of years during the pandemic maybe it's that our efforts at fasting has been somewhat strange. After all, we sacrificed so much because of COVID. The first year of the pandemic we could not gather to worship at Easter, we could no longer eat out with family and friends, we could not gather. Many who were in hospitals and extended care facilities would die alone without loved ones near by. Jobs, lost, schools closed, everything was rooted in what we could no longer do.

Maybe you chose not to fast this Lent as part of your returning to the Lord; but you really have, not just for 40 days, but a whole year! As we were forced to stay home, shut in and shut down for COVID.  During this whole time God has had our almost undivided attention.  The time in a sort of isolated way has not been for nothing! We've cherished family more, helped those who were in trouble, adapted and strived to over-come. We have changed as a result of  the pandemic. Some for the better and some not, but we are definitely not the same. Where are you now in your journey? Are you closer or farther? If you were to look in the mirror, what would you see, or rather, who would you see? One thing is for sure, you are different than you were at he beginning of this journey!

This day ask God to reveal to you what strides have been made during this slow transformation process and embrace the vision of where you are being called to. 

Read: Psalm 19; Psalm 40:1-7; Hebrews 10:23-25; 1 Corinthians 13:4-13