Lent is the season that takes us on a journey with Christ to the cross and to the
resurrection. It is a time of contemplation and repentance, forgiveness and
reconciliation, mercy and justice.
As United Methodists we are encouraged to use our spiritual disciplines to bring us
closer to God’s transforming grace. John Wesley’s three general rules were to do
no harm, to do good at all times to all people whenever possible, and to attend to
the ordinances of God. The ordinances of God include: participating in public
worship, studying scripture, having private prayer, taking the Lord’s Supper, and
fasting. Each of these practices brings us closer to Christ during our spiritual
journey.
Fasting is a time of doing without something, usually food, and filling that time with
worship, studying scriptures, prayers, or works of mercy and justice. If you have
no health issues, you might try to fast one day a week. If fasting from food is
a problem, try meditating on the poem below and choosing a life style fast, like
giving up TV or the internet and then using that time to serve God.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism
Fast from criticism; feast on praise
Fast from self-pity; feast on love
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness
Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence
Fast from jealousy; feast on contentment
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation
Fast from selfishness; feast on service to others
Fast from anger; feast on patience
Fast from fear, feast on faith
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22. We will worship together at
7:00 pm. Before Ash Wednesday spend time in prayer asking how God wants you
to fast this Lenten season. Fill in the blanks: For Lent, I will spend more time with
God by being attentive to the spiritual discipline . . . . . . . .
I will fast from . . . . . . . . . so I can feast on . . . . . . .
May the LORD give us grace to fulfill our Lenten promises.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Dianne
