Lent - as a discipline

As we approach the second Sunday of Lent I’ve been thinking about the discipline, or lack of it, that we put into our Christian development.  We often talk about our journey with God as something that comes naturally and easily – as if the desire to pray, to serve, to study and grow is just something we switch on as easily as the TV.  Yet the truth is it isn’t.  Unless we put determination and effort into our faith chances are it will wither and peter out.

Lent is a time when many Christians take a step back and consider their spiritual walk.  Yet such a ‘conscious’ and ‘determined’ way of being Christian can never be restricted to a liturgical season.  If my faith really is to be an integral part of who I am it will need daily nurturing and commitment – it isn’t a hobby I dip in and out of but the central core of my belief and ethical system.

I read this week some comments by the Chief Rabbi, Dr Jonathan Sacks as he reflected on the difference between spirituality and religion.  Now I’m all for spirituality – I think it’s often the missing component in a society dominated by materialism.  Yet as a term, spirituality can mean just about anything and nothing – and it’s often used about ideas and practices that we can hold for just a short while, get bored of and then move on to the next ‘in’ thing.  Religion, on the other hand, is much more structured – has to be learnt, struggled with, worked through and eventually demands personal discipline.

This is what the Chief Rabbis wrote:

Spirituality good, religion bad.  That seems to be the current state of the Western soul.  But is spirituality really a substitute for religion.  There is much that is positive about our search for spirituality, but there is also something escapist, shallow and self-indulgent.  Just as street protest is the attempt to achieve the results of politics without the hard work of politics, so the current cult of spirituality is the attempt to achieve the results of religion without the disciplines, codes and commitments of religion.  This is not good news.  Religion starts with spirituality.  What it asks of us next is where the real work of God begins.

I think he has a point.  Whether it’s working through a bereavement, health issue, biblical conflict or church family challenge our Christianity is rarely easily applied or lived.  We do have to work hard at faith – I believe it’s wonderfully life enhancing and worthwhile - but I’ve long since left behind the notion that it’s a soft option.

May your journey through Lent, even if it brings questions and struggle, be truly worthwhile.

Ian