Let’s Pray: March

Lent and Seasons

I grew up in a family that took little notice of Lent. In fact, I suspect that my mum actively forgot about Shrove Tuesday so as not to have to feed four hungry mouths stakes of pancakes. Instead Lent was all about lambing season. I grew up in the farming community and from the end of February through to April, this seasons focus was lambs. It was a marker in the year, an acknowledgement that the season was changing. Away from the cold hard ground to the soft rain-soaked green fields. Away from the bitter dark mornings to the brighter early light glancing through the curtain. Away from fingers going numb in gloves to a hint of warm light falling onto your back.

Lent, for me, is memories of lambs and life.

Lent is a period that builds up to Easter- where, as John the Baptist declares, Jesus is the “lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” In the same passage John quotes from Isaiah 40:3 ‘A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD.”’

Lent is a time for preparing; preparation for the Lord coming. Lent is preparing us for Jesus- the lamb of God.

Life is full of preparation, we busy ourselves baking cakes, arranging flowers, booking venues, preparing food for the big event.. Time and time again, however, when I read the Gospels, I see Jesus preparing to die on the cross by taking himself away to the wilderness, withdrawing and speaking to His Father, not being ‘busy’ but spending time with God. Lent is centered upon upon Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness - Jesus taking himself away to spend time with His Father, and when tempted by returning to the Father’s words.

I am reminded of the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10 v 39-42.

‘But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”’

Notice that Mary sits at the feet of Jesus- her heart and mind not taken up with all the comings and goings, but just sitting at Jesus’ feet- her heart is prepared already to be with Jesus. How wonderful, that the God we serve, wants us to sit and talk to us. He wants to hear us; he wants to know us. Jesus tells Martha that Mary had ‘chosen what is better.’

How are we choosing to spend our time? Notice, Jesus didn’t tell Martha that what she was doing was worthless, but just worth less than sitting at Jesus’ feet.

As we pray this month- the Month leading up to Easter- let us set aside time to sit at Jesus’ feet. Wherever you are and in whatever circumstance sit at Jesus’ feet.