Thursday’s Thought
Good Morning.
We’ve looked at two specific dates and now I want us to look to Lent in general terms.
Lent is a time for reflection whether alone or in a group. Some parishes run what we call Lent Courses which are often Bible based and involve time in reading the passage from the Bible and then joining a weekly group to discuss what you have found out and to ask questions which may have arisen. Some people find this helpful whilst other like to read a book and reflect on that alone.
We in Durrington and the Avon Valley are running both kinds this year with two different courses running twice each week and one meeting near the end of Lent for those who have read a book throughout, rather like a book club.
Christians don’t always need to do something, yes we are watched and how we behave does affect other’s views not only of us but of God and the Church. If we are seen to be behaving in a manner which people don’t consider ‘Christian’ we are often reprimanded and told that we have disappointed. The difficulty with that is that people forget that Christians are humans and our wish to change often takes our whole lives – for our acceptance of God doesn’t make our lives easier. In fact I would like to suggest that our lives become harder as we try to change our way of behaving to reflect more of the love of God and the behaviour of Jesus.
There are times therefore when we need to be – to spend time with God, other Christians and ourselves. To reflect on the love we have for all three, to re-charge our batteries and feel the love flowing towards us. These reflections aren’t all doom and gloom. It’s rather like looking at a photograph album – there are times when pictures make you cringe, others make you laugh, yet more may make you cry etc. Most will remind you of people and places you enjoyed or loved. Most times we will gain something about ourselves, whether consciously or not.
So it is with the reflections through Lent, there are times when we may cringe, laugh or cry etc but we will gain through the experience if we give ourselves the time. Just as we give time to the important human relationships in our lives, particularly those we know are underpinned by love.
I hope you time for reflection today.
