Lean into Lent

I joined a mailing list on shrove Tuesday (www.40acts.org.uk) - no pancake for me as I was travelling.

A mailing list that promoted forty days of action throughout this traditional season of abstinence. 

Of course the world has forgotten the purpose of the forty days of fasting from the rush and the sweet: that we should focus on the spiritual, not the physical, for this season, and, securing the benefits, we approach Easter Day better people to receive the grace of forgiveness and new life through Christ.

These days the Lenten fast seems to be more about wallowing in our own virtue ("how will I manage without chocolate for 40 days" answer: quite easily if you stopped thinking about yourself), rather than focussing inwardly and become deeper indiviuals as a result.

So this 'do something' 'fast' is really an antidote to the self indulgence of the literal fast: do something everyday for the next forty days that is not required of you but is an act from a generous spirit and see how that has a lasting impact.

Finally, these are not random acts of kindness, they are deliberate, intentional acts of generosity. Rake a few moments at the conclusion of each day to consider if you gave brought light into someone else's life.

Join me, please, on this journey towards Easter by leaning into Lent.