Lent is a spiritual reboot where we are invited to pause. To breathe. And to make space for God in our lives.

Above is the Methodist Connexional theme for the period called Lent (between Ash Wednesday and Easter). Lent is bigger than giving up chocolate or coffee. It is a desire and invitation for a spiritual reboot and is about letting go of what weighs us down and being open to what lifts us up. And the benefits last longer than 40 days. 

This period of spiritual formation calls us to loosen our grip on what holds us back-habits, assumptions, fears-and to open ourselves to the transforming presence of God. It is a process of:

   1) Letting go and

   2) Being open to something new.

In the Bible in 2 Timothy 2:22 we are invited to do something quite similar: The verse invite us to (1) flee some things that are not healthy for us and (2) to pursue things that are good for our health and formation.

Then the verse invites us to do one braver and more courageous thing during Lent: where possible to avoid confrontation. It is an invitation to be kind and gentle with each other. These are three great themes for the next few months to work on:

1. Flee some unhealthy things in your life.
2. Pursue some healthy things in your life.
3. Avoid controversy where possible.

How could you work on these in the next few weeks as a person? 

For more information on Methodist connexional theme see https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/lent/