“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Matthew 11:15, NIV
As a child, growing up in a large religious family, Lent was one of the most important ecclesiastical seasons of the year. Unlike the other church seasons, Lent was a time of spiritual examination. We were given the permission to take a step back from life as we knew it. The hectic pace and relentless demands gave way to a deeper sense of God’s mercy and peace. Lent was a chance to intentionally reboot and begin again. Such a shift in my rule of life was daunting at best. Yet, with a steadfast spirit, it has ended up being one of the most formative periods of my life.
For the last 30 years, my greatest companion during this season has been Henri Nouwen. In his book, “Show Me The Way,” he captures the true essence of the season. “The way through Lent comprises of putting aside the works of darkness and putting on the works of light.” He continues, “Praying means above all listening to the voice of Jesus, who dwells in the depths of the heart. Jesus does not force himself on us, his voice is reserved. Whatever we may do in our lives, let us never fail to listen to the voice of the Lord in our hearts. Because in our restless, noisy world the loving voice of God is easily drowned out. Each day let’s keep a certain period of time free for this active listening to God, even if it’s only ten minutes. Spending ten minutes every day exclusively on Jesus can change our lives from the ground up.” (“Show Me The Way,” Henri J.M. Nouwen, pg. 9)
Beginning with prayer, we are called to listen to the voice of God. This is our Lenten challenge. To properly listen, we have to intentionally eliminate the distractions. This takes time and cannot be rushed. It is a methodical process. It is a disciplined approach that allows us to unclutter ourselves from the voices of a noisy world. Whatever the hindrance, knowing God on a deeper level is the goal of a holy Lent.
“Be still and know that I am God.”
Psalm 47:10, NIV
