Lent - A time to be honest with God

In the minds of some people, Lent is a time to be as miserable as possible - giving up chocolate, biscuits, cake, wine and so on. Whilst we may indeed derive benefit from such abstinence, Lent is not a time to be- come miserable, however we choose to deprive ourselves.

Yes, fasting is an important strand of the Christian journey through Lent - but not simply for the purpose of losing weight! Rather, fasting is to abstain, not only to focus the mind but also to help us appreciate the real value of that of which we are de- priving ourselves.

Lent, above all, is a key time of pre- paration for Holy Week and Easter, a time to think carefully and honestly about ourselves and then to be honest with God. It is going further than just saying to God, "I've been bad." It is addressing the question, "How have I been bad?" and trying to answer honestly in a personal way. Writing things down can perhaps help us, including some specific questions to think about.

For example:

* Do I love God most of all? Do I let any- thing else take God's place in my life? Myself, money, someone else, etc.?

* Do I pray with God every day? Or am I a prayerless Christian? Do I read the Bible regularly?

* Do I love, respect and help my family? When things go wrong at work or elsewhere, do I take it out on my family?

Do I set an example of Christian life to my family?

* Do I hate anybody? Is my tongue a vicious weapon which hurts others? Do I enjoy causing trouble? Do I take what is sometimes the easy option by telling lies?

* Do I show love and compassion in practical ways to the lonely, the infirm, the sick? Do I react like Jesus to those who are regarded as social misfits? Am I a good neighbour to others?

* Do I think . . . speak . . . and do my best inall things for God?

* Do I think I am too good to need the forgiveness of God or of anyone else? AmI willing and ready to forgive others?

As I work through these questions I become only too aware of my own failings and shortcomings - and there are, of course, very many other questions that we might ask ourselves.

Lent, then, can be a time which challenges us to be honest with ourselves and with God as we lay our answers to these and other questions at God's feet. We needn't be miserable about it - just honest.

We can take comfort and reassurance in the forgiveness that God offers to us. In that way we are touched and made clean so that we can move on lovingly in our relationship with God and with those whom we meet in our daily

Trevor Davies

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