In Paul’s 2nd Letter to Timothy he writes that all Scripture is God-breathed and useful for training in righteousness (3:16). I found myself reflecting on this verse last night and early this morning. It seems to me that the Lenten season of Repentance is a tradition that is useful for training for righteousness. Some of things we choose to change about our behaviors and activities in our Lenten Season may become life long changes that improve our relationships with God, self and others.
I remember hearing a sermon once where the Priest said that our lives are fragile and layers can be peeled back like an onion. That statement confused me until I paid attention to how I peeled an onion. Layers that are hard and crusty can just be torn off and crumple rather easily – the old junk – and then you get to the layers where you have to be a little more careful as you get to the more tender layers and there might be some tears as you get closer and closer to the heart. This is where it takes perseverance to keep peeling back the layers. People who are extremely sensitive to onions may stop peeling, lay it down and quit – but more likely they will ask someone to help finish peeling the onion so everyone can savor it’s goodness in whatever meal they are adding it to.
Persevering through repentance in life choices can and does improve the way we blend, fit and work together in this world. Persevering through repentance helps a congregation to be a brighter reflection of the Life and Light of Christ in a broken world that lives in darkness. Our repentance is a walk out of our own darkness into God’s Light, as we continue this walk of repentance through Lent, we walk closer and closer to the true light of life as revealed in Jesus Christ, who was not overwhelmed by the darkness in the world, but who overcame it and defeated death on the cross and forgave sin.
The primary of purpose of the tradition of fasting during the Lenten season should be to improve first, our personal relationship with God, through Jesus Christ. It is easy for us to get caught up in thinking about the benefits we receive personally, how much money we save, how much weight we lose, how much more time we have to spend doing other things and in doing so, we forget Jesus, we forget to let him lead us not only through the Lenten Season, but through our lifetimes, day by day.
Years ago I wrote a liturgy for a call to a congregational fast. I wrote it thinking if a congregation actually began the season with a liturgy declaring a fast the members would have a greater sense of community and purpose to the season of fasting. If I can find it among my files and piles of papers I will share it with you and perhaps you would enjoy using it with your family and church.
For now I will share two verses that help me to persevere in my personal fast and to keep in mind that the primary purpose of my chosen fast is to improve my relationship with God, self and other people. In that order because a divided house cannot stand and I want to be able to stand before God and with other people in Spirit and Truth with Jesus Christ as our Savior.
2 Timothy 2:14-26 “A Workman Approved by God”
Romans 6:1-23 “Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ” and “Slaves to Righteousness”
Lord, Thank you for putting sin to death. Thank you for calling us to repentance that we may become Children of God and become Workmen Approved by Him. Help us to persevere in our individual and corporate/congregational fasts that we may share the Gift of God in Jesus Christ with others effectively. And may all the glory and honor be given to you. AMEN
