Do Nothing for Lent

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of our 40 day Lenten journey toward Easter. This is the time of year when Christians typically give something up (or alternatively take something on) to help direct our attention toward God.

During the weeks leading up to Lent, I usually give a lot of prayerful consideration to what I am going to "DO" for Lent - what study to complete, what practice to adopt or what delectable treat to resist. 

However... this year, a novel sort of sacred suggestion has been tugging at the edges of my heart and soul. What if this year ... I do NOTHING for Lent??!! Yep - nothing! What if my Lenten practice is to sit for a few minutes each day and do nothing... no agenda... no Bible study... no journaling... no coloring (gasp!)... no doing... just being.

I can only imagine God's pure delight in a few minutes of my undivided attention... just being still together.

I remember the pure delight I would feel when my own rambunctious kids (now dynamic young adults!) sat still beside me or even cuddled up on my lap for a few minutes amidst the otherwise unceasing activity of their day. This gift of their undivided attention - even for just a few moments - would fill my heart to overflowing. 

This Lent, I want to slow down, sit still, and cuddle up on the lap of God. I want to give God my undivided attention for just a few minutes each day so that our hearts can fill to overflowing together. Maybe I'll even grab a cup of tea, light a candle and curl up in my favorite comfy chair for 5 or 10 minutes of pure nothingness with God - sounds like heaven!

If the Spirit leads you, I invite you to join me in this sacred practice of "Doing Nothing for Lent." 

Hear these powerful words from the Jesuit priest Jake Braithwait from his article, A Not-so-Radical Proposal for Your Lenten Season: Do Nothing.

Elijah expects to hear the voice of God in the wind, in an earthquake, in a fire, but instead hears God in a small voice. So, too, with you. God is calling to you in a small voice. You need to turn down the rest of the noise in your life in order to hear. This Lent, turn it down by doing nothing, and listen.

May the blessing of "doing nothing" fill your heart and soul as we journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday together.