“Lent is a time of returning to God. It is a time to confess how we keep looking for joy, peace, and satisfaction in the many people and things surrounding us, without really finding what we desire.”
– Henri Nouwen
Recently when our pastor talked about giving up something for Lent he asked us, “What’s your ring of power?” My immediate thought was that my ring of power was exactly that,
My rings. Necklaces. Earrings. Bracelets.
I realize that giving up jewelry for Lent sounds flippant, but to me, upholding a certain image, is my ring of power. The only thing I love more than putting a great outfit together, is someone noticing and commenting on it. The thought of going to church, dinner, or work (aka speaking to women about Jesus. Yes, I see the irony) sounded like a terrible and impossible thing to forgo for Lent.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized I could not bring myself to not accessorize. Thankfully, I also realized I didn’t have to. Leopard earrings aren’t the issue. However, they highlighted my real problem, and also the point of Lent,
How do we return to God?
I know abstractly that joy, peace, and satisfaction can only be found in God. However, the fact I’ve been in a prolonged place of angst, fear, and discontentment for the past two years (much of which surround upholding a certain image and identity), illustrates I’m looking for these things elsewhere.
So, for Lent I’ve decided to return to God for forty days by adding praise and forgoing petition. Each day I’m going to discover a new way to praise God. And I’m going to forgo petitioning (aka, complaining to and making requests of) anyone but the Lord (and a few close prayer warriors).
In a relational desert where I want to be heard, validated, and loved, adding praise and forgoing petitions will not be easy. But as I heard Bishop T.D. Jakes say recently,
“We need a new method.”
When what we keep trying isn’t working, we need a different approach. And what better time and way than returning to God, The One who hears, validates, and loves me best.
Not My Jewelry!
