This week sees the start of Lent, following a feast of pancakes and other such delights on Tuesday. One of the reasons I find Lent exciting and interesting is because it is a Christian tradition that has been adopted fairly substantially by the secular world. I know many people who are not openly Christian, or necessarily interested in being so, who regularly – religiously even partake in the tradition of giving something up for Lent. 

While I wonder what this speaks to in our human condition (a desire for balance? A subconscious yearning for spiritual discipline? A need to be connected to something bigger?) I’m most interested in how we can respond to those we know around us who might want to make a change in their lives during Lent and how we can connect that to something meaningful. 

Let’s not be so sceptical as to think that the world just wants to give up chocolate in order to lose a few pounds. It is not just about diets. My daughter got her whole class and many teachers at her school to join her in '40 Acts' in a pre-pandemic world. They spent the season being challenged to acts of generosity and kindness across their local space. I was really inspired to see so many people keen to jump in. Clearly, Christians do not have a monopoly on loving other people. There is something in our human nature that wants to serve others; to give more than we receive, to make a difference, to bless. What a gift we have as a church to offer a time and space where people can do that.

Perhaps as Christians, we could chat with those we know about why we do these things, and that might spark a conversation or an idea in them. Who knows – it might even water a seed of faith.

My understanding is that fasting is done in order for us to draw closer to God. In our longing, physical and mental yearning for something earthly we have sacrificed, we can depend more fully on God, averting our gaze to him and reflecting on his glory. In the same way, I believe we can draw closer to God through other disciplines, such as regular Bible reading and prayer time, or committing to a devotional activity such as an act of generosity or kindness towards others. 

When I was training for ordination, I was reflecting on the 5 Marks of Mission that the Church of England upholds, and I became convinceed by the 5th one: to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth. In other words to treasure. I had recently watched a documentary about environmental impact and I felt so passionately that I had to take some action, if I was going to have integrity in my ordination vows: I could not ‘do nothing’ in response. I felt called to become vegan and no longer support the industry of animal products. This came from a place of much prayer and reflection, and I should add that I do not condemn others who do support animal products, but it was something I felt God calling me personally to do. In making this change (gradual at first) I have become much more conscious of what I purchase and consume, where it has come from and the ethics behind it. It has drawn me closer to God as I think about how I can treasure his wonderful creation and help to sustain the beautiful earth that we have been entrusted with. It is also exciting to talk with non-Christians who are passionate about the environment and find points of connection in our motivations.

If you are stuck for ideas for Lent, I would love to suggest that you might think about having a vegan or meat-free period, using the time to think about the impact of our choices and actions. This discipline is beneficial to the earth and your physical body, as well as potentially being a rich spiritual discipline. I would be happy to share any ideas if anyone would like to talk with me about it. We have a Lent book club organised by Wendy, reading ‘Embracing Justice’ by Isabelle Hamley, and we are meeting on Friday mornings to discuss it. There are many other ideas for giving things up or taking things up as well during this season. I hope that, however you spend the next few weeks – whether perfectly following a plan or simply with a heart to follow Jesus – that this time and space allows you to draw closer to him and opens up an inviting conversation with someone else about our faith and why we do these things.