What Will You Claim This Lent Season?

God's Love For You

When I began this blog earlier this week, my intent was to write about prayer. Within the content of my writing, it didn’t seem I was sharing anything new beyond the reflections of our recent blogs…..so I decided to begin again. In stepping back for a few days to reflect on our church’s and my own Lenten journey, the following question came to mind, ‘What will You and I claim this Lent Season?.

I realize this is not the usual question many of us think of during Lent.  It’s more often something like. “What will you or I give up? Sweets?  TV?  An hour or day of this or that?. Maybe our morning cup of Starbucks? 

In the midst of our busy, sometimes overcrowded days and weeks, what would you or I choose to claim during these 40 days….and perhaps even beyond? I hope you'll stay with me in this. 

What if during this 40 day Lenten journey (fewer than 40 by now), each of us intently 'claim our faith'.

What if we focused in on what we truly believe, wherever we are in our faith journeys, and stated it out loud. Maybe first to ourselves, and then to another. My guess is right now you are thinking one of several things.  

1) My faith is a private affair.  

2) I’m not completely sure what I believe.  

3) I don’t know how to talk about my faith and I don’t want to sound stupid. 

4) I’ve been going church all my life, why do I need to talk about my faith to myself or anyone else?  

5) I don’t want to sound like I’m boasting or judgmental.  

6) What if I offend someone….especially someone I care about.  

7) I am a Christian so people should already know what I believe.  
8) I need to think about this.  

Or, maybe you are at a place in your life where you are comfortable talking about your faith. 

There is no measuring yardstick here. Unless we have reached the state of perfection (NOT), we are all on a journey of deepening and growing in our faith.

And yes, there may be risk involved, both for ourselves and our relationships, Because stating out loud what we truly believe might cause us to look at how we live in community somewhat differently. Sharing our faith journeys with others could lead to further exploring our thoughts, our questions, our doubts, our hopes, our insights and perspectives. It could even lead to deepening and broadening our faith community!

Claiming our faith, in whatever state our own journey is, would mean we are willing to venture out in the midst of our fears, shyness, awkwardness, and privacy; and begin sharing what each of us believes. Even if this means beginning by stating our faith to just one person we fully trust.

To do this we first need to be able to clearly tell ourselves what we believe, and where we stand in our faith. I realize there can be one or two stumbling blocks to clearly naming and claiming our faith.

    We are creatures of habit, and taking the time to personally reflect on and define one’s faith may not be  something we have consciously focused on.

    We may have questions and doubts, so how can/does one claim their faith, when they don’t have all the answers.

    We want to be tolerant and not think we know the ‘only way’ to a relationship with God.

    We have not felt safe in personally thinking about our faith.

    We don’t have a faith statement or don't know where to start.

Have I touched on the main blocks? If I omitted yours, please just add it on.

Claiming one’s faith is not about having all the answers. Nor is it about writing or speaking your perfect faith statement. Each of us is on a journey during this lifetime, and as we live, our lens and/or understanding may change, broaden, deepen, become clearer…..any or all of these. 

Having and Claiming Your Faith is about knowing where you stand spiritually, where your roots are planted, and what gives you hope. Some thoughts for your consideration.....

When you come to Worship, take notes mentally or in writing on what touches you and/or what leaves you with questions. Find a way to reflect on, share or research your thoughts.

Pray….There’s that word again.  Don’t know where to start. No perfect place, time or words needed. Just start talking with God….anywhere. In time you will develop your own rituals and habits for prayer. Talking and listening to God is a good thing. You may be surprised where your conversations go.  Still not sure how to begin?  Here are some suggestions: 

*  “Lord have mercy on me” Try repeating this and see what happens”.

*  Find a place where you are not easily distracted: a quiet corner or walk outdoors.

*  Get together with a friend and share your concerns.

*  Let go of expectations and the need to pray perfectly.

*  Start a prayer journal where you write down your thoughts, questions, experiences, and your hopes. This is your 'treasure faith chest/quest'. The only editor is you.

*  Read and explore the Scriptures. Check the library, community resources, your friends for reading recommendations. There is a world of rich resources to glean. Spend time each day reading, reflecting, listening to music, centered in that which helps ground your faith.

Why not join or start a Small Group, where you can gather with others to study, explore, reflect, question, challenge and delve into the tenants of your faith. You will gain far more than what you anticipate risking.

When Jesus went into the desert for 40 days, he was Claiming His Faith. He was clearing the cobwebs of everyday life from his mind, turning away from outward distractions, and spending time in conversation with God. Why? To deepen and strengthen the focus of his relationship with God.

Many of us tend to reflect on our faith when we experience crisis, tragedy or joy. It’s so very easy to lose track of where our faith is grounded and how our faith is growing or not during the 'ordinary days' of our lives. Yet our Faith is the Compass for our Lives.

During this Lenten time, I invite you to reflect on where your faith is centered, so that you can say out loud even to yourself what you believe and why you believe what you do. This is how you begin to claim your Faith. When you are ready, I invite you to share this with at least one other person.

You may be pleasantly surprised by the conversations which open up. And if your faith statement has questions, this is okay, as long as you are open to exploring these questions. Exploring, learning, discussing and praying can liven your faith quest.

At the beginning of each new year, how often do we hear about or make new year resolutions which tend to have short life spans? Claiming, nurturing and deepening your faith can be a lifelong resolution which strengthens every area of your life. It is a resolution to grow on and in.

The God who formed you will help you in your journey of claiming your faith.

Shalom,
Susan