To make Lent as meaningful as possible, I am planning this year! I am taking full advantage of all my resources so that we can grow together as a family and walk closer with the Lord. Our Lent will be simple - and fruitful I hope.
This article is from my bimonthly church newsletter which first appeared in The Anglican Digest by The Right Reverend Michael Marshall, former Bishop of Woolwich in England and founder of The Anglican Institute:
"The Church's season of Lent reminds us that the gift of God's love and life within us is a gift which, like all human life, requires discipline and practice - even the plain hard work - if it is to come to perfection. The athlete, the tennis player or the concert pianist - gifted as they all are - will all tell you that their performance which makes it look so easy, certainly did not result from just 'doing what comes naturally'...
Are we willing to exercise a similar discipline for the sake of spiritual growth; to bring us just a few steps away from the prison house of 'my will be done' in the direction of the land of freedom where it is 'Thy will be done'? If so, then the equation is inevitable. Less time for self; more time for others - for Bible reading, prayer and (above all) for Worship. Less money spent on self; more available for where there is a greater need. Less self-indulgence; more awareness of others and above all God. In short, a time of practice and rehearsal on earth, to equip us to enjoy the gift and glory of heaven."
As Anglicans, we are invited to approach this holy season of Lent as a season of self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word.
Book of Common Prayer, p.265
2 comments:
Discipline and unselfishness are very important in our walk. Thanks for posting this!
I think they are important too. If we are disciplined and unselfish, we have more time to grow God's kingdom!
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