Good News Florida

LOCAL 32 MARCH 2018 Good News • South Florida Edition Even as our social media feeds fill with exclamations of wonder that it is already March, Lent reminds us of a slower ca- dence. As the cycle of holidays slaps us like waves pounding the shore, Lent extends the chance at preparation. When our spirits cry out for a deeper communion with God in the midst of a frantic schedule, Lent offers scattered prompts throughout our days to draw us near to God. Lent 101 Marked byAshWednesday and Easter Sunday, Lent bridges the 40 intervening days (Sundays don’t count) evocative of the forty days Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. For those denominations with a strong liturgical foundation, it is a season set apart to prepare for the coming of Easter through fasting, prayer and increased at- tention to the word of God. For all of us, it is an invitation to in- tentionally shift our focus back to the kingdom and economy of God. Like a cord with three strands, Lent invites us to a three-pronged observance as we set aside something good for the promise of something greater, add a priority of his heart and press into his voice and presence in our lives. Laying down MaryBeth shares, “For me, fasting during Lent is a chance to consider the amazing mys- tery of him (Jesus) subjecting himself to human form. The Bible says that he did it for the joy set before him. When you read a medical description of crucifixion, it is mindboggling what he suffered for love. Grow- ing up Catholic influences my current practices. I want to use this season as an opportunity to draw closer to Jesus.” Food and technology lead the list of “pleasures” we’re ab- staining from to clear the clutter and press closer to Christ. Each opportunity to reach for choco- late, soda or Facebook be- comes a prompt to turn our hearts and attention to God. Laying something down and re- sisting temptation becomes a spiritual discipline as we relent- lessly prioritize God over mo- mentary pleasures. In 40 Days of Decrease: A Different Kind of Hunger, A Dif- ferent Kind of Fast , Alicia Chole asks, “What might be the fruit of fasting stinginess? What would happen if our churches fasted spectatorship? What might occur if our families fasted accu- mulation?” She continues, “What might erupt if a new gen- eration fasted escapism? Such fasts could trigger a spiritual rev- olution.” Today, what would happen if we fasted comparison or gos- sip or even regret? Could it be that just the commitment could illuminate the prevalence of each in our hearts and mind? When the thought (tempta- tion) presented itself, what if we were armed with a verse cho- sen to direct our attention to God? How would that shift im- pact every element of our lives long after Lent passes? Picking up Lent is also the opportunity to take on. Rather than exclu- sively focusing on what to fast, our commitment is to pick up a priority of God. A concern for the tempo- rary orphans in our community could prompt volunteer hours with 4KIDS of South Florida. A heart for the poor could be ex- pressed in a community-wide food drive or even the decision to stock your car with a handful of Love Bags for the homeless you encounter. Love Bags are ziplock bags filled with a water bottle, tuna/chicken and crackers, granola bars, socks, hand wipes, applesauce or fruit cup, plastic utensil and a note of en- couragement and/or Bible verse. Pressing in At the very heart of our Lent observance must be a desire for an increased inti- macy with God. As David proclaimed, “You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sac- rifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a bro- ken and repentant heart, O God” (Psalm 51:16-17, NLT). Whether you open your schedule to a time of worship, Bible study or devotional read- ing, Lent can launch a practice that can revolutionize your re- lationship with God. Today, you can commit to exchange your good intentions for a non-ne- gotiable chunk of your calen- dar as you make and keep a commitment to draw closer to Him. Ash Wednesday, Valen- tine’s Day and the tragedy at Stoneman Douglas, was a day where thoughts of love, sacri- fice and evil wrestled for our attention individually, as the church, and as a community. As we walk out these interven- ing days, may this Lent pre- pare us to be transformed by the redemption, restoration and hope of Easter. Anitra Parmele is a freelance writer in South Florida and reg- ular contributor to the Good News. You can reach her at [email protected] . Allowing Lent to Capture You Anitra Parmele Good News