Welcome to Lent

When it comes to observing the season of Lent, you’re probably familiar with the practice of “giving up” something. For many people, Lent is a time to abstain from creature comforts like chocolate, sugar, alcohol, whatever it might be. But this year at The Parish, we’ve decided to approach Lent a little differently. Instead of giving up indulgences, we’re giving up anxiety, worry, fear, and despair. We’re going to give up trying to control every waking moment of our lives, and begin walking in a new way.

Lent is a season where we make space to hear God’s voice. And this year our challenge is to observe Lent through a simple, but powerful practice: Margin.

If you’re anything like me, most days your life probably seems over-worked, over-loaded, and over-caffeinated. Busyness has become a way of life, and in some ways a mark of “success.” But the busier we become, the more God’s quiet voice gets drowned out in the chaos of everyday life. As Dallas Willard once said, “Hurry is the great enemy of [the] spiritual life in our day.” It’s time to still the waters of our chaotic calendars, and Lent is a great place to begin.

As we walk through these 40 days together, we are going to examine different areas where we need to create margin and rid ourselves of busyness. And in the process, we will ask God to fill those spaces with his voice, revealing whatever He wants to speak to us.

Ready to walk with us in the journey? Here’s three simple ways you can follow along:

1. Sunday Worship Services – As we gather to worship during the season of Lent, we will be discussing how to break our cycles of busyness and begin making space for God. These weeks will be incredibly practical and meaningful, so mark your calendars and make plans to join us. Want more information? Click here.
2. Weekly Practices – After each Parish Worship Service, we will introduce a new practice to help us create margin in our daily lives. These practices are simple, but powerful. Join with us each Sunday at The Parish, or stay tuned here on our blog to find out the challenge of the week.
3. Stories of Life-Change – Throughout the 40-day journey, we’ll take time to hear from people within our local congregation. In our weekly email and on our blog, several of us will share the things we’re learning and ways we’re being challenged along the way. To hear these stories, make sure you’re signed up for the Parish email list by clicking here, and if you have a story to tell, let us know.

So for all who feel tired, worn out, anxious, or fearful, there’s good news. The 40-day journey of Lent has the potential to be a reshaping experience for us all, as we give up busyness and embrace God’s rest.

Be sure to join us at The Parish this Lenten season, or stay connected through The Parish blog, and together we’ll dive deep into a life-changing journey.