Uncertain Lent

Each year as we approach Lent social media is swamped with posts about what people are or should be giving up. The ideas range from food such as meat or sugar, to the more creative ideas like social media, or to the trend of taking something up instead of giving something up. This is all good discussion and each one has its own merits, not the least of such keeping the conversation about Lent in the social consciousness. 

For those of us who follow the Christian year Lent marks a major shift in seasons to a time of reflection, repentance, and depth. Churches are often far less decorated and the colour purple is used to symbolize repentance and royalty. We mark the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday. Churches will hold services in which the imposition of Ashes will take place with the words ”remember that you are dust and to dust, you shall return”. This reminds us of our intimate link to the earth and all creation and invites humility. 

One of the biggest barriers to humility and also to growing in faith is certainty. The great existential Theologian Paul Tillich wrote that “In the courageous standing of uncertainty, faith shows most visibly its dynamic character.” This is counterintuitive to much of popular conversation today. Throughout social media, and media in general, there are different parties stubbornly arguing their position from a place of certainty. The outcome of this is a loss of depth in communication, a lack of understanding, and less growth among all people concerned. We all fall into this trap, myself as much as anyone else. I have decided that during this period of lent to take my lead from Tillich and give my faith room to perform its dynamic dance by giving up certainty. This is not an easy commitment, I expect it to be almost as difficult as giving up caffeine, but that is part of the point. When we give up our certainly we open ourselves to the possibility, wonder, and the depth that comes with allowing God to speak into our lives. I invite you to join me on this journey. Let's leave our expectations at the door and enter this Lent with wide eyes, humble hearts, and minds open to the wonders before us.