Pay Attention to Intention

There is a lot of noise in our world – and it is not all sounds.  We have an overload of information and demands on our time, plus constant pressure to do and have.  It never seems to let up – and it won’t unless we choose to pay attention to an intention of making space for quietness and reflection.

The truth is we make time for what is important in our lives. There is always enough to do what needs to get done – we just need to prioritize those needs that are life giving rather than draining. The season of Lent is a perfect time to take stock of our lives and choose what needs to stay and what needs to go.  Where is our time going and how can we use it to our benefit rather than feeling like there isn’t enough time.

This might mean going without something, things that take up our time – like Facebook or TV or video games – then use that time to be with God through prayer, study and reflection.  Such a reordering of our lives is exactly what this season is all about.  Take a moment to read and pay attention to the words the priest says during the Ash Wednesday liturgy inviting people to a holy observance of Lent:

Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.
I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word. And, to make a right beginning of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now kneel before the Lord, our maker and redeemer.
Notice we start our practice by asking for forgiveness – being attentive to our relationship with God – in order to explore more deeply where God is calling us to be and how God is calling us to be. We are invited to think about how we use our time, our talents and our treasure – to be intentional of how we use the resources we have from God in order to do the work we have been given to do. 

It might be helpful to set one intention for the day.  It could be that you pray for 15 minutes or read a chapter from a Gospel or offer an hour of community service or greeting everyone you meet with a smile.  Then pay attention to your day and be present to those moments when you are offering your intention.  Be open to God’s presence during that time and see if you notice a difference. I believe you will!

However, it is important that whatever Lenten discipline you take on that it be done with the right intention – not for our own self- improvement (although it is a great additional benefit), but that we focus our attention and energy on God and God’s presence in our lives.  That will truly make a difference in how we approach life and indeed have benefits long after this season is over. 

For today, we will attend to the importance of offering our attention to God with our intention to have a holy and blessed Lent.

In Christ,

Rev. Valerie+

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