A Lenten Challenge
Lauren Winner teaches at Duke Divinity School and published her book on faith crisis, Still: Notes on a Mid-Faith Crisis (HarperOne, 2012). She has written about Lent: “We will try to go with Jesus into the desert, to devote ourselves…. To self-examination and repentance…. Prayer, fasting and self-denial, and reading and meditation on God’s holy Word.” Some of us, as a taken on this self-denial, will abstain from something during Lent: we won’t eat sugar or chocolate, or dark caffeine or wine. One year, I gave up cheese for Lent. This year, I am giving up anxiety. Lauren has made an important point in that it is not just giving up on sugar or chocolate (or, for me, giving up my favorite candy, “Twizzlers”). As Lent approaches I believe maybe there is something more important than these to give up for Lent, things that can block our ability to be more authentic people and Christians during Lent. So this becomes a spiritual practice that strengthens us personally and our relationships with others, so that we can become compassionate and loving. The question I pose to you is to consider what will free up your spirit, your mind and your body to be able to receive God’s grace, love and mercy that is in everyday life.
Three years ago, I facilitated a book study at a UCC church. We read and practiced together the suggestions from Will Bowen’s book, A Complaint Free World (Harmony, 2007). We took up the challenge of not complaining for 21 days and we found many positive r4esults among parishioners such as a new lightness of being and a positive appreciation of others and life.
Will Bowen’s book has sold over 7 million copies! People in more than 80 countries who have taken the “Complaint Free” challenge, trying to go 21 consecutive days without complaining, criticizing, judging others, or gossiping, and in so doing forming a new, positive habit.
During this Lenten Season, which begins on Ash Wednesday (February 14), I would like to challenge you (and myself) to give up complaining for 21 days. I believe that doing this could help us lighten our spirits and keep us form the heavy weight and burden of judging ourselves as well as others. I think this will help us to be present in our personal relationships, family, friends, colleagues, and our faith community.
Why 21 days? Research indicates it takes 21 days to break a habit or to reinforce a new one.
A purple Complaint Free bracelet or ring is worn and if the person accidentally verbalizes a complaint, the bracelet needs to be switched to the other wrist for a further 21 days. Definitely a challenge!
Let us consider what this world would mean every day of Lent as we stay mindful of not complaining or judging every single day of this Lenten period.
If you would like to hear more about Bowen’s congregation and this idea and new practice/behavior and results, please have a conversation with me.
If you hear someone else who is wearing a purple bracelet complain, it’s okay to point out their need to switch the bracelet to the other arm, BUT if you’re going to do this, you must move your bracelet first! Because you’re complaining about their complaining.
May our Lord bless all of us on the Lenten journey,
Pastor David