LENT: “Holding Space”

While Lent is a season in our church calendar where we think about fasting, wandering in the wilderness, and self-denial, it is also a time where we can set aside habits and practices in our lives to open space. What comes to your mind when you think of the concept of “space?” Perhaps “outerspace” — the places beyond our comprehension and beyond the atmosphere of our planet. As I write this article, I think of the spacebar on the keyboard, which I continue to use to separate one word from another.

Without a “space,” everythingthatI’mtypingflowstogether.

When I check my schedule for the day, I see the events, meetings, and commitments…I am relieved by the “space” between them. AKA the times when I don’t have something scheduled, so I can breathe, rest, and prepare for the next thing (or the commute time driving from one space to another).

Having “space” in our lives and in our schedules is essential.

Unfortunately, I’m not always good at “holding space.” When I have a free day on my calendar, or a two-hour block of time in an otherwise busy day, it’s easy to think,

“What can I schedule there?”

“What could I get done in this amount of time?”

“Wow, I have time to do something else!”

But we know that when we leave time in our schedule, when we hold space, on our calendars and in our lives, we have opportunities to experience things we wouldn’t have scheduled. When we leave space, we leave room for God to surprise us.

As many of you are aware, I recently attended a retreat hosted by the Presbyterian Church’s Board of Pensions. This is the organization that provides healthcare for pastors in the PCUSA. So, the health and well-being of its members is important. Healthy pastors are more productive, more effective in ministry, and less “expensive” (since, hopefully, we don’t have to go to the doctor as often). At this retreat, we were invited to consider our core values, our goals, and our hopes and dreams for ministry. A key word for Presbyterians is “discernment.” We were encouraged to ask the question, “Who has God created me to be and what has God created me to do? (Fear not - this conference confirmed that my work here at FPCRC is exactly where I’m supposed to be in this season of my life).

In the midst of this space for reflection and prayer, I was able to consider my values and priorities. This is work that is important but not often urgent, and therefore it is easy to put off until later.

In what ways does the SPACE of the season of Lent offer you opportunities to enter important personal reflection? Are there times when you can “hold space” for these value thoughts or conversations? I encourage you to make room in your mind for God to speak. I’d love for you to share what you learn.

Very truly,

Pastor Adam