I’m not talking about your supply of Easter eggs, (though I am still on the alert for those larger Red Tulip eggs that Andrea and I like to give to immediate family members).

I am talking about the thing we try to do during the season of Lent, (the 40 days plus Sundays before Easter). Get yourself ready for Easter, spiritually.

Ironically, you do this spiritual work practically and actively, not by just navel gazing. It takes a bit of effort.

Traditionally, people focussed on prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

We haven’t really talked about fasting this year, but we have offered some ideas on prayer and a little on giving. Prayer is not navel gazing. Prayer is active, paying attention to God, giving time to learning a bit more or listening a bit more from God.
One of the suggestions I offered for consideration was the use of a daily Bible reading guide called “With Love to the World”.

If you don’t already have a daily practice of dedicating a period of time to God for reflection and prayer, then this guide could be a helpful resource for you. This season of Lent would be an especially appropriate time to give it a try. You can find out more about the guide and how to access it at With Love to the World.

Another suggestion was to read some verses from the gospel of Luke each day. Just start at the beginning, read a section, then prayerfully consider what your questions and insights are from that passage that day. It’s partly about building your knowledge and understanding of what is in the Bible, and partly about handing over some of your time and self to God, and seeing what happens.

For some of us this kind of practice is familiar territory. For others it could be something new and nourishing. Whichever boat you are in, I encourage you to consider beginning or renewing this spiritual discipline for yourself, in this season of Lent.

So may we approach this Easter intentionally, having prepared ourselves to remember and celebrate again the greatest story ever told. And may God help us to find more deeply our place and our role as children of God in God’s world.

Graham Bartley