Mid-week Thought by John Grebe

Today is Ash Wednesday which is the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent could invoke mixed feelings. This is perfectly fine and healthy as it demonstrates that we are thinking for ourselves. We have all heard of various things that others have done for Lent. However, it is important to keep in mind that we can only observe the external from a distance. It is God alone who knows where the person is. So regardless of whether you choose to take on any formal Lenten disciplines or not, do not look down upon others who practice their faith differently. If you feel that taking up extra Lenten disciplines would be helpful, then do so and may God be with you. If you do not feel that taking up extra Lenten disciplines would be helpful, then gently let it go without feeling like it is something that you should have done as there is no one size fits all way of following Jesus.

On a more universal level, the season of Lent, and especially Ash Wednesday, invites us to pause and reflect upon where we are in life. Honest and prayerful self-reflection upon our shortcomings is not easy but it allows us to let go and move forward. Remember to be kind to yourself as prayerful self-examination before God is not about beating yourself up over your shortcomings. The value is in becoming more aware of your struggles and being able to learn from them. This includes not only things that we would want to avoid but also things that we want to increase and grow in our lives. Remember that regardless of where you are in this part of your life that God loves you and fully accepts you, as through Jesus Christ you became a child of God and part of the Body of Christ within the church. Within the love of Jesus Christ, there is no room for guilt and fear as the perfect love of God casts out fear. Nor should we worry about if we are loving God enough as it is God’s love for us that enables us to love God and others. So simply continue to seek out and follow Jesus in the fellowship of others, trusting in faith that God will continue to be there for you through the season of Lent and beyond.

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us.” ~ 1 John 4:18-19 (NRSV)