Covenant Weekly - February 28, 2017

This week, I'd like to review a little bit of what I spoke about in my sermon on Sunday and invite you to join me in observing Lent. For those who aren't aware of it, Lent has been practiced within the church for over 1500 years. It is a season of fasting over 40 days in preparation for Easter. This year it begins on Wednesday, March 1 and runs until Saturday, April 15. (Sundays during this time are free from the fast.)

If you aren't sure what fasting is, Richard Foster (author and speaker about spiritual disciplines) speaks about it this way:

The central idea of fasting is the voluntary denial of an otherwise normal function for the sake of intense spiritual activity. There is nothing wrong with any normal life-function; it is simply that there are times when we set them aside in order to concentrate.

There are three particular aspects to highlight here.

1. Fasting is voluntary. You don't need to practice fasting or participate in Lent to be a good follower of Jesus.
2. Fasting is the denial of normal functions. A fast from something that isn't "normal" for you is no fast at all. Fasting is giving up something that is a part of our typical life or routine.
3. Fasting is for the sake of intense spiritual activity. True fasting is not primarily about giving something up. It is about letting go of something in order to pursue connection with God. If I give up the world, but don't reach out to God I haven't truly fasted.

Lent is a 40 day fast during which we let go of something significant to us in order to reach out to God. Through fasting we express our commitment to Jesus over the things of this world that vie for our control or attention. Through fasting we create space to hear from God, in the midst of the noise of our world. Through fasting we desire to learn to live obediently in our world.

I shared some scripture on Sunday that impacted me significantly in my preparation for the sermon - Isaiah 58:1-7. It describes God's people participating in some hardcore fasting. They were even wearing sackcloth and ashes in public in order to demonstrate their commitment to God. But they feel God isn't listening to them. God repremands them because their giving up things and putting on an outward show, but, he says, "On the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high."

God goes on to describe the we are to live while we are fasting:

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter - when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood.

Fasting is not merely an invisible spiritual exercise. Through it we renew our commitment to Christ; we open ourselves to hear from God; and we are invited into a transformed life - living the way of Jesus in the world.

To encourage help you during this this season we have three tools available.

1. A Lenten Commitment & Lenten Prayer Form (see attached) - You are invited to write down what you are letting go of in order to reach out to God. Sign the form, date it, and put it in a conspicuous place where it can be a daily reminder of your commitment and the purpose of your commitment. You might consider praying the written prayer every day during Lent.
2. A Lent Devotional Guide (see attached) - This 40 day devotional has been created by BIC Canada to help you pursue God in a deeper way during this season. There are hard copies printed and available at the church if you would like pick one up.
3. Ash Wednesday Services - The first day of Lent is traditionally marked by Ash Wednesday gatherings. We will hold two identical Ash Wednesday services at Covenant. (7:30-8 am; 12:30-1 pm) Each service will be a combination of music, prayer, reflection, and commitment as we mark the beginning of this season together. Everyone is welcome to join us at these services, regardless of their church tradition. (Note:  For various reasons we will not be marking participants with an ash cross on the forehead, as is typically offered at Ash Wednesday services. Instead we will offer anointing with oil - a traditional symbol of setting someone apart for God - in the shape of the cross on the forehead.)

Whether you participate in Lent or not, I pray that this next season of life will be a time during which you draw near to God and he will draw near to you. He loves you and longs for that relationship with you.