Declutter Our Lives
According to Wikipedia, Lent is defined as follows:
Lent (Latin: Quadragesima – English: Fortieth) is a solemn religious observance in the liturgical calendar of many Christian denominations that begins on Ash Wednesday and covers a period of approximately six weeks before Easter Day. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer through prayer, penance, repentance of sins, almsgiving, atonement and self- denial. This event, along with its pious customs are observed by Christians in the Anglican, Reformed, Lutheran, Methodist, and Roman Catholic traditions.
Many of us observe Lent and, if you are like me, rack our brain with what to give up. A lot of times I want it to be something challenging (soft drinks/chocolate) but nothing that is going to be TOO difficult (all sugar/TV). I tend to lose focus on the meaning of the word sacrifice.
So this year, as Ash Wednesday approached, I had been sorting and decluttering work sheds and my store room, I thought about this more and more. I realized that many of us need to declutter but not only our homes/sheds but our minds, body and spirit. We live in a very sensory world – we are bombarded at all times by images, sounds, smells, etc. and with the technology available at our fingertips – it is easy to become cluttered with things. We can allow our spiritual path to get cluttered with “things” without even realizing it. We have so much being thrown at us through TV, social media, emails, etc., that we can become bogged down before we even realize it. Now is the perfect time for us to reflect on this and to declutter our paths. While giving up chocolate or fast food are GREAT things to give up for Lent, I challenge you to look a bit deeper. Declutter negativity from your life – whether with websites you visit or friends on Facebook that do nothing but “rain on your parade”. I challenge you to shine your light everyday by telling those you come in contact with at stores, restaurants, doctor’s offices, etc. to “Have a Blessed Day” regardless of how you are treated. Commit to doing 1 random act of kindness a day – wheel the trolley back into the store as you are walking from the parking lot, hold the door open for someone behind you, buy a cup of coffee for the person behind you in the queue. There are so many ways that we can declutter our spiritual life and, in doing so, shine grace on those we come in contact with, choose things that will really transform lives and the lives of our Emmaus Ministries.
I hope this season of Lent brings you much clarity as we take this journey towards Easter Sunday. May His grace shine bright in you and through you.
Being a blessing and a shining light for Christ, please remember to support and join our community at events planned for 2024. CHRIST is counting on YOU!
The team of Chrysalis Flights # 138 and #139 are busy with training and we are looking for MUSICIANS for both teams, plus support members. Discern if God is calling you please, yes you.
The teams look forward to welcoming the participants to their Flight’s during June/July. Please visit the website www.kznemmaus.co.za for application forms for the Flight’s, and Walks for 2024.
Commit to prayer, who God would have you sponsor on Chrysalis and/or a Walk. Download the forms and have them completed and returned to the Registrar soonest.
The Board are in prayer for you, our community members, to answer the call and to support our Ministries and bless a participant or pilgrim and their church.
With prayers and blessings,
Nigel
Recent Comments