Where to start? Every journey begins with but a single step, but even experienced travelers don't always know which way to head out. So, how to begin?
Personally, I've adopted many different practices in past Lenten seasons, with varying measures of outward success, each valuable in its own way. So I'm at it once again, yet I'm forced to admit that 2013 presents significant challenges. There isn't much nationally or locally that encourages spiritual awakening and none of my past practices seem to fit well this year. Even the juxtaposition of Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day seems to pull in opposite directions. Various weaknesses and shortcomings suggest themselves, but none so strongly as to provide sufficient motivation. God's still small voice is undoubtedly there, but it's as hard as ever to hear it.
Ash Wednesday's service is still fresh in my mind, mostly the part encouraging each person to adopt the attitude that "Lent is not about me." The sentiment is traced to a Huffington Post blog entry that I recommend:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-emily-c-heath/its-not-about-me-a-lenten-challenge_b_2659425.html
It clearly advocates for outwardly-directed action, whether toward God or toward neighbor - I'm at ease with that. And I get that "...if our Lenten discipline is only about us, and what we will allow ourselves, we miss the point." The challenge, then, is that we are only given our one, personal viewpoint on life and by nature we are at least self-centered, if not selfish. How, then, to ensure pure motives and a focus that's correctly placed? At this point, I'm sure only that I do not know.
May God bless your beginning and give you clarity in your first steps.
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