The season of Lent is meant to be a time of self-examination, intentional spiritual discipline, and deepening of the holy habits that inform Christian living. The tradition of fasting, whether it be of food, some daily activity, or even restraint of unhealthy practices, is intended to remind us of our dependence upon God and our need to grow more Christlike in our attitudes, actions, and relationships.

Essential holy habits, of course, include prayer, study of scripture, meditation, participation in worship and Christian fellowship. Those acts of piety should also be augmented by acts of service and love. Little actions such as reaching out to those who are sick, lonely, or bereaved, and caring for creation are worthy Lenten practices that can and should become regular practices.

In our materialistic world, one of the significant growth areas for Jesus followers is generosity of time and resources. How we handle the material gifts, as well as the spiritual gifts, God gives us is crucial to our spiritual growth. Scripture consistently teaches that how we use our possessions is at the heart of how open we are to God’s gracious activity and a pathway toward “putting on the mind of Christ.” I love the way The Message paraphrases Paul’s admonition in Romans 12:1: “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life- your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life- and place it before God as an offering. That’s the real challenge of Lent and of the call to take up your cross and follow Jesus in daily living. Gratitude and generosity fuel that way of living.

When I was a child, my mother always gave me two things when we went to worship services- a box of animal crackers to keep me from becoming too antsy and a quarter to put in the offering plate. My parents provided my essential needs, materially and emotionally, but also taught me that giving is essential to Christian living and that I can only give because something has been given to me. Gratitude and generosity are inseparable. My calendar, my checkbook, and my credit cards need to provide evidence of my gratitude to God and how I live as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Chapter 4 of I John reminds us that God is love and “we love because God first loved us”. John goes on to say, “The commandment we have from God is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.” Serving and giving so that others may have the necessities of life is at the heart of faithfully loving God and neighbor.

This Lent, my intention is to fast from those activities and expenditures that hinder my generosity of heart and action, that keep me from focusing on my love for God and for my neighbor. As stewards of all that God has given us, our life, our time, our talents, and our resources, won’t you join me in that Lenten discipline?

The Reverend Dr. David Comperry
Field Staff Representative