“Return to the Lord”
FROM THE DESK OF IELA GALIANO-WILLIAMS
“‘Even now,' declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.’ Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love…" - Joel 2:12-13
Each year as a child, I expectantly stood in line for my dad to mark my forehead with ashes in the shape of a cross. This cherished ritual offered a tangible, participatory way to enter a new church season and commit to a period of fasting leading up to Easter’s celebration.
Over the years, I’ve fasted from a variety of things—from Justin Bieber (yes, I really did this) to chocolate, or some years adding in a new practice instead. I can now name it’s less about what I choose to fast from and more about the reasons behind it. As a comfort seeker, I often fast from what I’m currently leaning on for solace. This opens space for me to actually process the challenging emotions and talk with God about them.
Reading those opening verses from Joel chapter two reminded me that our weeping and mourning can draw us nearer to God's grace and compassion. Lent invites us to embrace the difficult emotions, granting ourselves and our communities the space and time to lean into God’s presence amongst us, before joyfully welcoming Easter morning.
There’s no single right way to observe Lent or experience God's love. Lent reminds us of the 40 days the Israelites spent wandering in the wilderness as well as the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert. Admittedly I don't think I would opt into either of those experiences willingly, but I do know that when I have abstained or fasted from something, it has helped point my heart in the direction of God. Even when I come kicking and screaming while avoiding the ice cream aisle...
So I simply encourage you to seek God’s guidance and discover a practice that draws you nearer to God's grace and compassion during this season. Perhaps there’s something you need to pause, a habit to embrace intentionally, or a community to engage with. Whatever it may be, open your heart to God’s love throughout these next 40 days and let's see where it takes us together.
Looking for more space with God this Lent? Join us for a quiet and communal Day Apart retreat on Saturday March 7th in MA!