Broadcast February 25 2009
Today is an important day. It happens to be my birthday! But the real reason why its important is that it is Ash Wednesday - the first day in a period called Lent - that’s the forty days run-up to Easter. Traditionally Christians have used this time to think of Jesus (immediately before his work began) going into the wilderness on his own to pray and reflect on what he was undertaking.
Jesus deliberately went into the desert where he’d be free from distractions - not to hide away from reality but to give himself some quality time to prepare for the work he was going to do in the world with all its need and demands.
I think there are many people for whom the idea of Lent conjures up some negative, mournful images. Maybe that’s encouraged by the practice of some to “give something up” .
But in our world today with its 24/7 full-on communication and often negative and depressing news stories filling our heads, seeking space to reflect seems like a very good idea. For me this is an important and positive time – a time to take stock, to make plans to think about what is happening in my life.
Who are you?
What are you trying to do with your life?
What are your priorities?
What do you need to develop?
These are real and very human questions that we need to ask ourselves again and again.
We can convince ourselves we are too busy. Taking time to slow down and reflect in our fast-paced world isn’t easy.
Yet being busier than ever doesn’t mean that our lives are more fulfilled. Sleeping less than people did even one generation ago doesn’t make us better people.
Accessing more information than we can possibly take in with the click of a mouse doesn’t mean we automatically become wise, or live worthwhile lives.
Many years before Jesus, the great philosopher Socrates said “an unexamined life is not worth living”. We humans are able to plan, to dream, to assess, to set goals – but we will do these things much more effectively when we set aside some time for them.