Beloved Friends in Christ,
As the Bible so clearly explains, in order to make any endeavour work, you always have to have a plan. Lenten endeavours are no different. In just over a week’s time, the season of Lent will be upon us again. But some will barely take notice, saying that this season has little to offer. While we may be tempted to agree, perhaps the reason for this is that we approach Lent without developing an action plan.
Here are some starting points for you to use to develop your action plan for Lent. They are ideas gleaned from a “Creative Communications for the Parish” flyer to help you draw closer to our crucified Christ and bring the love of Christ to others in real and practical ways:
Get busy. Don't be afraid to do some work for an elderly relative or babysit for a co-worker. Now is the season to show the world that Christians walk the walk by serv¬ing others as Christ did.
Go to church. Stepping out of our homes every Sunday to attend worship sends a clear mes¬sage to our neighbours and friends that spending time in the Lord's house is important and should be a top priority for all Christians who follow in the footsteps of Christ.
Chat up Church. Are there friends you've always wanted to invite to church, but never have? Now is the time to call, text or email them to join you for a special worship service, meal or church activity.
Pray with people. Making the effort to pray with oth¬ers over a meal in a restaurant or with friends in their home can spur those around you to have a conversation with Christ.
Pray for people. Pray daily. Join the prayer chain. Keep a prayer log of those for whom you are praying.
Open the Bible. Get your Bible off the shelf, open it up and read it every day during Lent. Let the Word of God become a more tangible part of your daily living.
Ring the bell. Visit a member who is hospitalized or home¬bound and in need of some cheering up.
Schedule change. Use the time you normally devote to bad habits to engage in activities that are more God pleasing. Take on a household task each day of Lent that will help your family.
These are just a few ideas that may be incorporated into a Lenten Action Plan. No doubt, you will be able to come up with more. Do so, and do something. Traditionally the season of Lent is consid¬ered a solemn, quiet, reflective time for Christians to contemplate the suffering and death of Christ on the cross. While that is in¬deed true, it is also a time to get up and go in the name of our crucified Christ and engage in an active, outward faith that proclaims that we believe that Jesus suffered and died to make a difference in the world and a change in our lives. What is your plan of action this Lent?