I like to think of Lent as beginning with an invitation from the Lord to join him on "His" journey into the wilderness. Thinking of it in this way indicates that the agenda for Lent will be the Lord's and not ours. If we accept, then we should begin by asking the Lord what we will need to bring with us.
The wilderness is to be a place of prayer. Here is a list that very well my be the same list the Lord gives to you.
- The first thing you must bring is a generous portion of your time. You cannot be in two places at the same time. Notice that the wilderness is an empty place, without the distractions of the secular world surrounding you. Try to find such a place in your day where you can be alone - only you and the Lord. Arranging a time and place is most important.
- Remember, the Lord has invited you to come and be with him. Be assured, he will be there. You might offer a prayerful word of thanks for such an unimaginable privilege.
- Next you will need a way to listen to the Lord's voice. Our world is a stadium full of people, all speaking at the same time - can any sense be made of it. The scriptures, especially the gospels reduces the voices down to one, the Lord's. It takes some practice on your part, what with the ringing in your ears from that stadium we live in. "Speak Lord, I am listening".
- You too can speak. The Lord wants you to understand, but we are a little slow and our thinking has been shaped by that world we have just left, or misshapen by it. Your seeking understanding becomes your prayer. "How can this be Lord?" "Yes Lord, with you all things are possible".
- Takes notes as they say. When you go back to that stadium of confusing voices, you will need a good way to remember what the Lord has taught you.
- It will need perseverance, it is a desert after all. Do not give up.
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