Embracing Lent: A Season of Reflection – Discovering Who I Am to Be
This Lenten season calls me to lean deeper into reflection, repentance, and spiritual renewal. Lent is not just about sacrifice but about preparing the heart for transformation. Just as Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness, fasting and seeking the Father, I am reminded that this time is about self-examination, drawing closer to God, and embracing the process of becoming. It is a season to let go of distractions, focus on what truly matters, and allow God to refine me through the journey.
For the past month, I have been reflecting on who I am to be in this season. In searching for clarity, I returned to one a sermon I delivered to the children—the 4 C’s: Committed, Consistent, Capable, and Confident.
I did not fully realize that these four principles have become the standard by which I evaluate myself. Each one challenges me differently, forcing me to wrestle with the tension between my limitations and my passion—a battle that often plays out in the depths of my spirit.
But I have come to understand that acknowledging my limitations and my passion is not a sign of weakness; it is an act of wisdom. It allows me to embrace a quality life that I have worked toward and, by God’s grace, one that I have earned.
The Questions That Shape Me:
This season calls me to be intentional in my reflection, asking:
What can I truly commit to?
Where must I be consistent?
Am I capable, and if not, what must I do to grow into capability?
Am I confident, not just in my abilities, but in my willingness to withstand the weight of public opinion and the doubts within my mind?
And beyond myself:
Who am I called to be for me?
Who am I called to be for those closest to me?
Who am I called to be for those I lead?
Each of these questions requires careful reflection, patience, and a deep commitment to protecting the discovery process. Most importantly, they require me to accept the answers that serve God’s will rather than the expectations of others.
The Process of Answered Prayers
So often, we pray for an answer and expect it to come quickly and decisively—a direct revelation that gives us immediate clarity. We long for a "Yes" or "No," something that answers our questions and alleviates our doubts. But over time, I've come to realize that God doesn't always respond in such a straightforward way. Instead, His answers often unfold gradually, like a story being revealed one chapter at a time.
The process of answered prayer is not just about the end result but about the journey that leads us there. In many cases, the answer is a series of steps—conditions, lessons, and moments of growth that refine us. Each step is essential, even if it doesn't look like the answer we were hoping for. These lessons—sometimes in the form of challenges, struggles, or delays—are the very means through which God shapes our hearts, minds, and spirits to align more with His purpose for our lives.
Even when the answer is a "Yes," I ask more questions: What brought me to this point? What have I learned along the way? What moments of struggle or refinement led me to embrace the "Yes"? This process allows me to gain a deeper understanding of God's will and of myself. It teaches me that answers don't always come quickly, but rather, they emerge as part of a larger plan that is working to mold me.
Faith is not just about receiving an answer in the way we expect. It's about embracing the journey that leads to the answer—allowing God to transform us. It's about trusting the process, knowing that every step, even the difficult ones, is part of God's refining work.
In Service,
Rev. Walker
Reflection Question: What needs to be surrendered, refined, or renewed this Lent to bring you closer to God’s purpose?
