We have just entered into the first full week of Lent. People have asked me for advice on what to give up. I know that some people are giving up a couple of hours of their time in order to study God’s word with the help of our study guide “Led By The Spirit” by The Rev. Dr Robert Bos.

Many give up something they really enjoy like a glass of wine, chocolate, Facebook etc. and then spend Lent desperately longing for the end of the 40 days so that they can once again enjoy these pleasures. Sadly, this means they miss the point and the purpose of this “giving up”.

In Christian tradition an Ignation retreat calls for participants to let go of all things for 30 days…. No TV, newspapers, books (except the bible), conversation, contact with loved ones. The only breaking of silence is in worship and a daily conversation with the retreat conductor.

The purpose is not to punish ourselves or prove how strong we are… but to enter the desert in order let go of all that comes between God and ourselves.

My son lives in Broken Hill… He drives backwards and forwards through the desert, as quickly as possible, stopping only to refuel. His focus is on getting home, or getting to some place of importance. Sadly, he sees little of value or beauty on the journey… he has seen it all before.

We can be like that in our journey through Lent. We have seen it all before…. We want to get to Easter. But have you wandered through a desert? Have you really looked where you are placing your feet, or in crevices out of the way?

For us, it is the journey which is most important… not the destination! Slow down! In rushing through the day, in rushing through Lent, we miss the wonder of the moments-
the encounters with God and with our true selves – and they are the gems that make living each day worthwhile!

Minnie L. Haskins “The Desert” wrote “And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.’ And he replied: ‘Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way,’” So, as we step out into the desert let us place our hand in the hand of God.