An Outward Focused Lent
Often during the forty-day period of Lent, Christ followers have often given up something – like chocolate or alcohol. Some skip one meal a week, the money saved sent to a hunger-related organization, or tackle programs of daily spiritual reading, or increase charitable contributions – all examples of Lenten disciplines.
At Trinity Church, we are observing an outward focused Lent this year. Rather than inward practices of discipline, we are invited to use our God-given strengths in a more outward, intentional way. (See how other United Methodists are observing an outward focused Lent by checking out the article on the bulletin board by the church office, or by going to umportal.org/article.asp?id=8569.)
What could you do this Lent, either daily or weekly to use your strengths to bless others? God has given all of us strengths.
What do you love to do? What do you do best?
Answering these questions points you towards your God-given strengths. (Taking the Clifton Strength Finder inventory is another way to learn about your strengths.)
We are at your best when we do what we naturally do best. That is true of individuals and churches. God has given our congregations strengths and passions too. At our planning retreat we named Trinity’s passions (or “core values”) as the following: equality, wisdom, freedom, a peaceful world and true friendship. (Health and inner harmony were also rated pretty high.) During Lent at Trinity we will focus on these core values and how they connect with the needs of the world around us.
In worship our lay leaders Laura Graves and Lauren Reynolds will each share how they plan to use their strengths more intentionally during Lent. Their comments will also be posted online. All are invited to join Laura and Lauren in observing an outward focused Lent this year, starting with Ash Wednesday (February 22nd) and continuing through Easter Sunday (April 8th).