God is a God of surprises and He is the orchestrator of wonderful coincidences. Without putting much thought of my own into it, I started training for the Free Them 5K last week. I didn't realize until yesterday that I started this training on the first day of Lent.
I was deeply moved by a few different posts and blogs about Lent. Honestly, we don't really do much for Lent now that I attend a non-denominational church. I grew up in a Catholic and Episcopalian background, so there are some elements of liturgy that I miss. Some of the symbolism is so sacred and sublime, it answers questions your soul didn't realize it was asking. I miss going down to the alter for communion, dipping my stamped wafers in the wine from the golden chalet, and being blessed by Father Taylor. I miss the reverence of the stained glass windows and tall arches. I miss lighting candles to symbolize a prayer. Religion can be stifling, but it can also help a person understand a facet about God's character that was a mystery to them before.
Back to Lent. Usually, there is something a person gives up for Lent to honor the sacrifice we celebrate every Good Friday. I felt that I wasn't supposed to give anything up. I read a post by a woman in a forum I follow, and instead of giving something up for Lent, she adds a prayer time for those around her. She opened up her schedule to ask for prayer requests for strangers in a forum of over 3000 women. That is a beautiful, intentional sacrifice. Another blog I follow approaches Lent as a time similar to Advent. It is a time to prepare your heart, to make room for God to speak, and to really meditate on what Easter means.
So as I have been running, I have been doing a lot of meditating. It clears my mind, and I become aware of almost every breath I breathe. I am clearing out time in my busy life to quiet my heart, train my body, and I am doing it so that others might be freed. It is my sacrifice, however small. It occurred to me yesterday that running is what God added to my life to help me recognize Lent. This is my way of laying down a portion of my life to help others.
As Jesus has been connecting the dots for me, I have a song called Hallelujah that won't seem to leave my head. It has been redone several times, but the original is by Leonard Cohen. The one line that is on repeat inside my brain is:
And every breath we drew was hallelujah...
If I had just one sentence to describe it, I think that is what Lent means to me. To live a life where every breath I draw is hallelujah. Every breath in success, every breath in joy, every breath in sorrow, every breath in pain, every breath in confusion, every breath in doubt. Let every breath be hallelujah.
I have been running in a forested area, and so I decided to make a little print of a photo I took a while back to commemorate this season.
Well said - Not having the liturgical experience but growing into it - I have also discovered the Spirits touch. My Lenten discipline this season is to take each step set before me with faith & courage - toward the vision I've received for ministry. God uses each of us for a purpose - way to listen to the Spirit's voice cuz. You are blessed & a blessing. May our Lord continue to be with each day as you run, May God's face shine on you, May our brother Jesus' Love continue to be poured out through you, and May you continue to hear, heed & speak the voice of the Spirit's voice as she whispers...
ReplyDeleteJia you! Hope that this works out!
ReplyDelete