Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 (ESV)
Tomorrow is the first day of Lent. What’s a Baptist girl doing marking Lent? After all, we are all about grace and not about works. Well, until the Pastor announces from the pulpit that there is a shortage of workers in the nursery and the service will not proceed until someone goes to help (true story, but not our current pastor). Or until a Nominating Committee member applies not so subtle pressure to get you to serve on a committee. Lent was not something I was familiar with until a few years ago when it was introduced to me as a way to use self discipline to prepare my heart for the Easter Season. Giving up something I crave or that consumes me drives me to greater dependence on God. It reminds me to spend that time in prayer or Bible study instead of fulfilling my human urges to indulge in candy or television. Unrelated to Lent, last Sunday, our Pastor called our congregation to carve out some time to be silent before God. To set aside all the things that would drown out His voice even if just for a few minutes a day and to listen quietly, carefully for what He would be telling us both individually and corporately to do. He acknowledged that we might not be happy with what we hear. Yet, as we prepare for the Easter season and the reminder of Christ’s death on the cross, what sacrifice could God ask for that would even minutely compare with the gift of salvation that His Son paid for with His life? I already live a fairly quiet existence. Other than barking dogs, the only thing I hear when I go home is the humming of traffic a mile away. I do not turn on the television upon entering the house. I prefer the solitude. Sometimes, I even turn off the radio in my car. I don’t talk continuously on the phone. I no longer have children crying for my attention. But, there is one thing that does occupy my mind. While it does not have a physical sound, Facebook is my biggest distraction. Sometimes, I act as though my phone is glued to my hand. I carry it with me everywhere, not because I might miss a call, but because I might miss a Facebook post. Somewhere along the way, I have become addicted to peeking into other people’s lives. I like knowing if they are Snow White, a Dolphin or should be a resident of Seattle. I like posting about what cute thing my dog did, what I am reading or creating. But, sometimes, I wonder, do I live for Facebook or do I live for God? So, starting tomorrow, I will be giving up Facebook until Easter. I will be focusing on listening to God’s voice and not that of my Facebook friends. Because if I am going to be still, I can’t keep checking my phone to see who is on line.
That is an excellent thing to do. As an Episcopalian.. well, we DO Lent, probably more than any other religious season. Listening is supposed to be a regular practice, but it does get lost in TV and computer time sometimes.
I always look at Lent as the perfect time to establish a new habit. The length of time required is just right for me. This year, I will be decluttering my house and donating what I don't use any more to someone who might need it. I think I will also use this time to revitalize my blog, which has been lying semi-dormant for a while.