Fifteenth Day of Lent +++ Listen to Him who has chosen us for Himself +++ Écoutez-Lui qui nous a choisis pour Lui-même

John 6.60–end

Jean 6.60-fin

Genesis 44.18-end    Psalm 35        Hebrews 2. 10-end 

Genèse 44.18-end    Psaumes 35     Hèbreux 2.10-end

As the NIV’s heading for this section of John’s Gospel is “Many Disciples Desert Jesus”, you could be forgiven for thinking that this reading may discourage the wobbly Christian (- and don’t we all fall into this category every now and again?). However, there are two parts to this reading that we would do well to meditate on when those around us turn their backs on God, or when Jesus’ teaching appears to us to be just too “hard” (v60).

Firstly, Jesus reminds us that no-one can come to Jesus unless the Father has enabled them. Without delving too much into the thorny topic of predestination, the Gospel tells us that it is the Holy Spirit that prepares the hearts of those who turn in faith to Jesus. We are justified by faith, but this faith is the result of what God has done in us. Our faith and our turning to Jesus then is not something that we are ultimately in control of. God Himself is the one who chooses us; without His help, we would not be able to recognise Jesus as the One to be followed in the first place. And who better to reveal the Son to us than the Father?

Secondly, I love the matter-of-fact way that Simon Peter answers Jesus when he asks whether any of the Twelve want to desert him. I imagine him perhaps to be slightly exasperated with the deserting disciples, for although Simon Peter recognises that Jesus’ teaching does not make for comfortable listening, he recognises Jesus’ unique authority to speak the words of eternal life. So, as he plainly states, to whom else shall they go? This is the same rhetorical question that we need to use to check ourselves if we feel tempted to stop listening to Jesus in our lives. When the world around us wants to tell us how hard we are making life for ourselves by taking up our cross and following Jesus, we need to remember that any others’ claims to know the secret for living a longer or better life are just hollow promises, because they are not from God.

This Lent, may we be encouraged that Jesus’ words are “full of the Spirit and of life” (v63), and keep listening to Him who has chosen us for Himself.

Que nous soyons encouragés ce Carême que les paroles de Jésus sont « Esprit et vie » (v.63) et continuons d’écouter celui que nous a choisi.

Laura Bispham

Fourteenth Day Of Lent +++ Plus Prétendre? +++ Pretend again?

Genèse 44.1-17     Genesis 44.1-17

Psalm 50        Hebrews 2.1 - 9  John 6.52 -59

Psaumes 50    Hébreux 2.1- 9   Jean  6.52 -59

Ce passage nous parle de Joseph, gouverneur d’Egypte et des dix fils d'un vieil homme qui s'appelle Jacob. Le lecteur connait toute l'histoire mais pas les personnages car ce sont eux qui vivent l'histoire. On pourrait se demander pourquoi il a fallu plusieurs années avant que Joseph révèle sa vraie identité à ses frères ?  À mon avis, la raison en est que les dix frères de Joseph ont tellement raconté l'histoire de leur jeune frère qui a disparu au point qu'ils ont fini par croire leur propre mensonge. Joseph a donc remarqué qu'ils ne s'étaient jamais vraiment repentis de leurs actes. Ils prétendent avoir changé en devenant des hommes honnêtes (v. 7-8 et Gn. 42 :11). Ils sont même prêts à prouver leur innocence.

 « ¹¹ Aussitôt, chacun descendit son sac à terre, et chacun ouvrit son sac.

¹² L'intendant les fouilla, commençant par le plus âgé et finissant par le plus jeune ; et la coupe fut trouvée dans le sac de Benjamin. »

 À présent leur seul espoir est de retourner voir le gouverneur et de lui expliquer la situation   en espérant être acquittés. Hélas, lui-même les accusent. Ils ne peuvent donc plus prétendre, ils doivent reconnaitre qu’ils sont des simples pécheurs. « Que dirons-nous... comment nous justifierons-nous ? Dieu a trouvé l'iniquité de tes serviteurs. Nous voici esclaves de mon seigneur, nous, et celui sur qui s'est trouvée la coupe. » (v. 16). Ce fut la repentance sincère de Juda et de ses frères dans le chapitre 44 qui causa Joseph de révéler son identité et tourna leur chagrin en joie (Cf. Genèse 45).

You can pretend to be honest for a while, but you cannot pretend forever.

Eric Sibomana 

Thirteenth Day of Lent +++ Pray +++ Priez

John 6:41-51    Genesis 43.16-end    Psalm 32       Hebrews 1

Jean 6.41-51     Genèse 43.16-fin      Psaumes 32   Hébreux 1

This passage contains one of Jesus’ metaphorical ‘I am’ phrases: ‘I am the bread of life’. Whilst an entire page could be devoted to unravelling the imagery and discussing what message could be taken from it, I prefer to this time point out two other aspects of the passage. The first is that we are not the first generation to find some of Jesus’ teachings hard. The reading opens with the listening Jews ‘grumbling’ among themselves and objecting to his statements. Indeed, we are close to the time in the Gospel when many followers abandon Jesus as they cannot accept some of his claims! This leads to the second point which struck me: twice in only ten short verses do we hear that we are not able to approach God by ourselves. We need God’s intervention and help! Jesus first says, ‘No-one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him’, and then quotes the Prophets to say, ‘They will all be taught by God’. There may be some comfort to be had from these statements. It is not surprising to find certain teachings in the Bible difficult, or to struggle with one’s faith occasionally. However, we can pray for God to help our understanding and to strengthen our faith, as it is by God’s grace that we can draw closer to Him through Jesus.

Nous pouvons prier pour que Dieu nous aide dans notre compréhension et qu’il renforce notre foi car c’est par la grâce de Dieu que nous pouvons nous rapprocher de lui à travers Jésus.

Amélie Lecoeuche 

Second Sunday of Lent +++ Love is a small word +++ L’amour est un petit mot

Genesis17.1-7,15-16 and Romans 4.13- end    Psalm 22. 23 - end  Mark 8.31 - end

Genèse 17.1-7, 15-16 et Romains 4.13- fin      Psaumes 22. 23-fin  Marc 8.31 - fin

Love is such a small word for such a big thing. The greatest commandments hinge on us understanding them, and yet, as broken people in a broken world, we so often forget what love truly is. 

For so many of us, love is reasonable to the point of being economic. When we love someone, we do good for them. We expect that the good we do for them will be balanced by the good they do for us. We strive for relationships that are even and fair, a self-sustaining ecosystem. When one side stops holding down their side of the scales, economic love diminishes and must be earned back. 

In the story of Abraham and the ensuing story of the people of God, we see another way. God, complete and perfect, promises Abraham and Sarah that they will be God’s family. To us, the idea of a limitless God promising this to a tiny family of broken humans is completely unreasonable; they could never come remotely close to deserving it. Neither could I, to be frank. And yet…..

What God asked of Abraham was the faith to believe in that promise, in that unreasonable offer of love, and it was counted as enough. In Lent we have the chance to prepare for another act of unreasonable love by a God that doesn’t need us. What we’re asked for is the faith to accept it despite our limits, despite our brokenness, despite the fact that we could never earn it or repay it. 

This Lent may we see the way that God loves us. May we learn to accept the love we could never earn from the One who calls us family. May we rest in this unreasonable, divine love this season, and may our love become more unreasonable because of it.

Ce Carême je voudrais que ma foi et mon amour grandissent.

Amen

Natalie Jones

Eleventh Day of Lent +++ Turn to Him +++ Tourne à Lui

John 6. 27-40    Genesis 42.1-15    Psalm 63        Galatians 6

Jean 6.27-40      Genèse 42.1-15    Psaumes 63    Galates 6

Johannes 6.27-40

Many people, including myself, give up or have previously given up stuff for Lent. It could be chocolate, other treats, alcohol, social media or whatever we think we eat or drink too much of or use too much. One friend once gave up the fourth beer... Food is there to nourish our body, but spiritual food which is mentioned in this reading is there to nourish our inner being. A quote I once read, with a picture of a cupcake, says 'God sometimes denies us what we believe is good, but never that which is truly good'. During this time of Lent, let us turn to Him who will never let us be hungry or thirsty. And when we do, He will not drive us away.

God geeft ons misschien niet altijd dat wat wij willen, maar Hij geeft ons altijd iets wat echt goed is voor ons. Als we in de vastentijd met iets stop, laat ons
bidden dat we in plaats van dat iets zullen vinden wat echt goed is voor ons. En Hij stuurt niemand weg die naar Hem komen.

Sara T

Tenth Day of Lent +++ Lent, time of prayer +++ Le Carême, un temps de prière.

Galatians 5.16–end     Genesis 42.29-end   Psalm 22       John 6.16-27

Galates 5.16- fin         Genèse 42.29- fin    Psaumes 22   Jean 6.16-27

God wants us to have faith in him and to ourselves. Let’s work towards becoming righteous and clean our flesh from the acts that drive us away from him. Asking for God’s guidance and blessings helps us to put the works of the flesh off and obey the one that has given life and light to us the second time by appearing through his son Jesus Christ. For God wants us to work together and agree with each other. He longs us to share his light with one another and to be truthful.

Do not be the heretical person full of their own self-willed questions. For these doctrines emanate from Gods word to enrich us into humble beings. And as for the heresies, who come to signify self-chosen doctrines that don’t emanate from the true God, there is a price for it from him. For there is only one God to believe in. He is the creator of heaven and earth. Let’s, therefore, put these attractions of wealth, luxury, and all material things that drive us further away from God. Let's not seek for our own satisfaction that leads to great temptations of adornment to sin.

Let’s seek for true wisdom that comes from the Lord. Have faith in him and be dependent on him. Let’s acknowledge that he is the Lord, seek direction from him and be careful not to offend him with reverence to him. Fear the Lord who loves you dearly and depart from evil. God loves each one of us deeply and he cares for us. Let this period of Lent be a time of prayer to purify us and clean our minds, souls, and body as a blessing from God Almighty.

Dieu aime chacun d’entre nous profondément et il veille sur nous. Que cette période de Carême soit une bénédiction de Dieu tout puissant, un temps de prière pour se purifier et revitaliser nos esprits, nos âmes et nos corps.  

Peter Magoola

Ninth Day of Lent +++ Lent gives me Hope +++ Le Carême me donne l’Espoir

Psalm 42        Genesis 42.18-28    Galatians 5.2-15     John 6.1-15

Psaumes 42   Genèse 42.18-28      Galates 5.2-15        Jean 6.1-15

'As the deer pants for the water...'  the opening lines of this beautiful Psalm, are also words of a worship song I remember learning in my teenage years.  My teenage years were not easy (actually probably less easy for my family) but I knew I believed in God and I wanted to live my life as a Christian but I really did not know how to do so.  In a way, my soul longed for God but my mind wanted to be elsewhere.  I found it difficult to reconcile this longing with the reality of teenage and student life - 'when could I go and meet with God?' as the Psalmist puts it. Eventually, God brought me friends who were Christians and also (in my view) cool and fun.  I found a church, got over my fear of admitting my faith and started to quench my thirst for God.  Christ fed me on those years, just as He fed the five thousand, with love and patience as I found my way.   Some days, my soul is downcast, like the Psalmist, but most days I can sense the direction of Gods' love towards me.  I try to keep God as my rock (sometimes I fall off that rock) but most of all I try to put my hope in God - because I believe God puts hope in me, just as He puts hope in all of us.  Gods hope in all of us is reflected in the promise he made never to be separated from his people again, the covenant with Noah, the promises to the sons of Jacob, the fulfilment of the prophecies of Isaiah and many others, the arrival of Christ the child and the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

Lent gives me hope that my soul will never stop longing for God, that I can find ways to quench that thirst in our church community, in the word of God, in prayer and even in singing.  It prepares me for accepting once again that ultimate sign of hope, of the victory of life over death and the presence of Christ among us forever - 'Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my saviour and my God'.

Le Carême me donne espoir que mon âme ne s’arrêtera jamais de désirer Dieu.

Heather Roy

Eighth day of Lent +++ In the world, not of the world +++ Dans le monde et non pas du monde

Wednesday February 21

Galatians 4:21-5:1  Genesis 42.6-17    Psalm 6       John 5.30-end

Galates 4:21-5:1     Genèse 42.6-17    Psaumes 6   Jean 5.30- fin

Galaten 4.21-5.1

One of the recurring challenges as Christians is, I think, the goal of not letting the world around us control us. We’re meant to be “in the world, not of the world” – a much-used phrase in Christian circles, and perhaps sometimes misapplied to mean that we should have as little to do with the material world as possible. Christ’s mission for us, his disciples, is the opposite of that. As he himself says in John 17:14-19: As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

The part about not being “of the world” is a warning not to let the things in this world – success, money, power, material possessions and even relationships – become burdens…idols…that hold us back from doing Christ’s work. On our path to find true fulfilment that only a life dedicated to God can give, we can easily get distracted by those idols. At first glance, they seem to be a source of happiness and fulfilment, and much easier to obtain too!

Tim Keller describes these idols in his book Counterfeit Gods as: anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give…An idol is whatever you look at and say, in your heart of hearts, “If I have that, then I’ll feel my life has meaning, then I ‘ll know I have value, then I’ll feel significant and secure.”

There are many ways to describe that kind of relationship to something, but perhaps the best one is worship.

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul tells them that “Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.” In this time of Lent, I would ask that we take time to contemplate our idols…the harnesses of slavery…and I pray we may see them for what they are: of this world and not worthy of our worship.

Staat dan in de vrijheid, met welke ons Christus vrijgemaakt heeft, en wordt niet wederom met het juk der dienstbaarheid bevangen.

Christ nous a rendus libres pour que nous connaissions la vraie liberté. C’est pourquoi tenez bon et ne vous mettez pas à nouveau sous le joug de l’esclavage.

Rudolf Douqué

Seventh Day of Lent, Tuesday 20 February; We have heard with our ears/Nous avons entendu avec nos oreilles

Galatians 4.8-20  Genesis 41.46-42.5    Psalm 44        John 5.19-29

Galates 4.8-20    Genèse 41.46-42.5   Psaumes 44       Jean 5.19-29

It seems it’s been a long time since God last came amongst us in a real form – about two millennia.  Of course, as in psalm 44, “we have heard with our ears…our fathers have told us”, we have the Bible with its stories from both Old and New Testaments of what he has done for us.  We may also have the testimonies of fellow believers who have seen Him working in their lives, or even have some such experience of our own, but as we stand here in 2018 it’s very easy for Christians to feel as the author of the psalm does: the science-based, secular society in which we live makes us “a reproach to our neighbours, the scorn and derision of those around us”. 

Even though, like the psalmist, we have not forgotten Him or been false to His covenant we read of diminishing congregations in a post-Christian Europe and can feel as if we’re swimming against the tide of history, doomed to oblivion.  Yet, with the psalmist, we can and must reassert our faith, trust, and ask for the Lord to “rise up and help us, redeeming us because of His unfailing love”.

Carol de Lusignan

Sixth Day of Lent, Monday 19 February Abba, Papa

Galatians 3.23-4.7  Genesis 41.25-45    Psalm 11       John 5.1-18

Galates 3.23-4.7    Genèse 41.25-45   Psaumes 11       Jean 5.1-18

²⁶ So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, ²⁷ for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Discussions around gender, equality, or the lack of equality, take up a noteworthy amount of space on my Twitter feed and news subscriptions. Identity Politics permeates our zeitgeist. Because of its importance to our age, how the church responds to the questions and challenges that are posed receive a significant amount of attention. Archbishop Justin, speaking to Synod on this topic last Easter, called for radical Christian inclusion in the church. Jesus’ ministry is the example of radical inclusion. Whether speaking to the woman at the well (John 4), the Roman Centurion (Matthew 8), or Zacchaeus, the physically small tax collector (Luke 19), the Gospels show us that Jesus went out of his way to meet with those who were on the fringes of societal norms. In this passage to the Galatians we see Jesus’s ministry of radical inclusion co-existing alongside our requirement to become a child of God; of the need for faith and for baptism. 

Traditionally, “All one in Christ” has underpinned teaching on salvation; we are saved by virtue of all being equally unworthy and all in need of adoption. For the Early Church “All one in Christ” had far reaching implications for how believers understood how they were both continuing and diverging from the Jewish traditions of which Paul himself had been a fully-fledged member. For me “All one in Christ” impacts how we must treat one another in the church; “clothing ourselves in Christ” is a mindset for loving those whom I find it difficult or hard to love. In our era of rapid technology development, shifting social norms and political change, how much we converge and diverge from the world around us requires wisdom and sensitivity.  When applying this scripture to modern debates it is central that we do not forget to “clothe ourselves in Christ”, that we recognize that we all “Children of God” and that we are all dependent on the Spirit who calls out “Abba, Father”.

Matt Bispham

First Sunday of Lent +++ Baptism +++ Le baptême

Mark 1.9-15    Psalm 25.1-9    Genesis 9.8-17    1 Peter 3.18-end

Marc 1.9-15    Psalm 25.1-9    Genèse 9.8-17    1 Pierre 3.18-fin

Three out of the four bible readings* set aside for today deal with the importance of water linked symbolically with salvation. So firstly, Genesis Chapter 9 recounts the successes of Noah amidst much water, and secondly, 1 Peter 3 refers back to this episode from the Old Testament.

In addressing Jesus' baptism with water, Mark Chapter 1 v 9-15 – the third reading – recounts the beginning of His ministry. This passage is my inspiration for the reflection for today – an epithet from my own faith journey.

I have attended churches of different denominations over my time as a Christian (and indeed as a child, before I was a believer). When the time seemed right before God for me to publicly declare my faith – 5 years after becoming a Christian – the tradition of my church at the time was believers’ baptism through full body emersion in water. So that is what I did.    

One of the mysteries of the faith is that the words of the Bible start making a difference to you in a way you had not experienced prior to belief. Such was my experience with baptism. I identified with Jesus in his own baptism. I remember the occasion well – having the chance to answer the Minister's questions about my faith in front of the whole church, the act of baptism itself, a hug from a dear Christian friend before drying off afterwards….. My family were there. It was only a few months after the death of my mother.

As Jesus launched after baptism into a ministry leading to salvation of souls, so I was able to confirm that salvation for myself through the same act.

Sue Bird

Fourth Day of Lent ~~ Saviour be with me +++ Sois avec moi mon Sauveur

Psalm 71      Genesis 41. 1-24    Galatians 3.15-21   John 4.43-end

Psaumes 71  Genèse 41. 1-24     Galates 3.15-21      Jean 4.43-fin

Many people know that I’m planning to open my own animal sanctuary one day, that I hope to create a refuge for the two, four and no legged wonders of God's creation. But the part I never talk about is how much of a fortress I want it to be. Any kind of facility with animals, especially larger or wild ones, needs good safety and security measures, but I harbour a bit of a "prepper" or survivalist mentality - I want to be sure that I'm prepared enough that my family and the animals in my care are taken care of even if the world falls apart. Which leads me to spend a lot of time thinking about fences, security cameras, canned goods, off-the-grid power sources etc. etc. 

But what this Psalm has made me realize is how much do I consider God to be my rock, refuge and fortress? How much do I trust Him to ensure my safety and provision? Or to ensure the world doesn’t actually fall apart. I am confident the dream to create such a place and care for his creation comes from Him, but how am I including him in my plans to make it happen - or better yet trusting His plan to make it a reality? It’s so easy for us all to start making plans and forget to include or even consider God in them. Do we ever stop to ask what God wants our lives to look like? What God wants us to do?

The praise song ‘Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)’ says: 

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Saviour*

Let us this Lenten season, pause and reflect on wherever God is calling us and how His plans are shaping our lives. Let our faith (and our plans) be made stronger in the presence of our Saviour today. 

Morgan Buckner

*© 2012 Hillsong Music Publishing, written by Matt Crocker, Joel Houston, and Salomon Ligthelm.

Une épreuve peut servir comme un pont +++ A test can serve as a bridge

Genèse  40    Psaumes 3      Galates 3.1-14      Jean  4.27-42

Genesis 40    Psalm 3        Galatians 3.1-14    John 4.27-42 

Une épreuve peut servir comme un pont

A test can serve as a bridge

Genèse 40

Joseph était enfermé dans la maison des gardes du roi, et lorsque des officiers de garde offensèrent leur maître, ont les ont conduits dans la même place ou joseph était enfermé et on lui demanda de les surveiller et les servir.

(Si nous retournons derrière dans cette livre de Genèse 15.13

Et l’Eternel dit à Abraham, sache que tes descendants seront étrangers dans un pays qui sera point à eux, ils y seront asservis, et on les opprimera pendant quatre cents ans.)

Ce temps que Abraham ait cette vision il n’avait pas encore les enfants.

Genèse 40.6

Joseph s’est rendu vers eux, ils étaient tristes à cause des songes qu’ils avaient eus, Joseph leur dit c’est Dieu qui donnera une réponse favorable, il savait bien que Dieu était avec lui.

Joseph leur donna les explications de leurs songes et demandant à un d’eux de ne jamais l’oublier.

Mais il l’oublia jusqu’à ce que Pharaon ait aussi des songes, et personnes dans son pays ne pouvez les expliquez à part Joseph.

 Pharaon fit appeler Joseph en hâte de prison et Joseph donna des explications par la grâce de Dieu.

Genèse 41.38

Pharaon dit à ses serviteurs : trouverions-nous un homme comme celui-ci qui a l’Esprit de Dieu ?

Amen, un homme spécial, un homme qui marchait avec Dieu, il est devenu gouverneur de l’Egypte.

Ce livre peut nous aider à ne pas fixer les yeux sur les épreuves que nous traversons, problèmes financiers, problème dans le travail, problèmes dans nos foyers,

Mais fixons les yeux sur l’Eternel, et remercions Dieu dans toutes choses.

 Je trouve que l’épreuve vient de l’ennemi mais pour ceux qui ont la foi en Dieu c’est un pont qui nous aide à traverser pour arriver à la volonté de Dieu.

Romains 8.28

Les effets de l’amour de Dieu

Nous savons que du reste, que toutes choses conçurent au bien de ceux qui aiment Dieu, de ceux sont appelés selon son dessein. Amen

Freida Mukanyangezi

Where is God? +++ Où est Dieu ?

Psalm 77       Genesis 39      Galations 2 11- end      John 4.1-36

Psaumes 77  Genèse 39      Galates 2.11-fin           Jean 4.1-36

Where is God?

Où est Dieu ?

Quand Dieu semble loin ou même absent, ce psaume nous pousse à nous souvenir de sa puissance – et à chercher à comprendre vers où il nous conduit.

Are you kept awake at night, thinking about the problems and stresses of life, with a soul that ‘refuses to be comforted’?

The writer of this psalm turned his thoughts to God, and when reassurance still did not come, he then pours his frustrated questions into the void where he had hoped to find peace of mind – has God forgotten to be merciful?

Where is God? is a question we all ask, especially when faced with our own suffering or that of others.  When other approaches fail, the response of the psalmist is finally to remember the power and might of God - specifically his authority even over the elements as he led his people to safety through the Red Sea.   The psalm stops there – we are not told whether this contemplation brought the comfort the writer seeks.  But surely a strategy worth trying – to move from tossing and turning over our own concerns and ponder instead God’s majesty and his faithfulness to his flock.

As God led his people through the parted waves, where might he be leading you during this period of Lent?

Mags Bird

Ash Wednesday, 14 February ~~~"Rend your hearts…..”

Psalm 51.1-18              Joel 2.1-2,12-17         2 Corinthians 5.20b - 6.10        Matthew 6.1-6,16-21

Psaumes 51.1-18        Joel 2.1-2, 12-17       2 Corinthiens 5.20b - 6.10       Matthieu 6.1-6, 16-21    

         

“Yet even now”, declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart,

with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” (Joel 2.12-13)

Maintenant encore, dit l’Eternel, revenez à moi de tout votre cœur,

avec des jeûnes, avec des pleurs et des lamentations !

Déchirez vos cœurs et non vos vêtements (Joel 2.12-13)

Daarom zegt de Here: ‘Kom nu bij Mij terug, nu kan het nog. Geef Mij heel uw hart. Kom met vasten, tranen en in rouw. Scheur van verdriet uw hart, niet uw kleren!’ (Joel 2:12-13)

By the grace of God, Lent can be very good season for ‘the heart’. How do we ‘rend our hearts’? What does it mean to ‘tear’ the very centre of our being? It certainly is an arresting image. Any lasting change will involve a change of heart, which will require help from the One who is ‘gracious and merciful, and abounding in steadfast love’. Spiritual disciplines like fasting praying, and practising generosity (cf. Matthew 6) start from within and work their way out. All these are good for the heart when done ‘in secret’. Note that the ‘hypocrites’ in the same chapter take just the opposite approach. As in physical workouts, it might be an idea to focus on just one particular ‘muscle group’ this season. You know which area it is for you that needs a bit of practice. Otherwise ask God to show you.

Alternatively, you might opt to dwell on a book. If the phrase ‘soul fatigue’ resonates with you, I can recommend John Ortberg’s ‘Soul Keeping: Caring for the most important part of you’. If you are ready for something really thorough, I can warmly recommend Dallas Willard’s ‘Renovation of the Heart’. A spiritual formation classic! For those who read the book(s), why not get together after Lent to compare notes? Not to show-off of course….

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me……

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:10, 17)

Paul Vrolijk