Creating Space
The Second Day in Lent
Reflection By Scott Stoner
Thus says the Lord: Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.
- Jeremiah 16:6
Yesterday I wrote about building fires and cleaning ashes. Today I’d like to reflect on another detail from my fire-building ritual that might help us prepare for our Lenten focus on healing and wholeness.
Our fireplace has a heavy metal grate essential for creating good fires. The grate sits on legs creating a three-inch space underneath. Paper to start the fire is placed in this space and ignites the wood above. As the fire burns, ashes from the burned wood fall into this space originally occupied by paper. A long fire will eventually fill this space completely.
These accumulated ashes must be cleaned out before each new fire as skipping this step prevents oxygen from circulating, resulting in minimal, short-lived fires.
What if we think of this as a Lenten metaphor? Our making intentional choices now to create space for the Holy Spirit’s oxygen to circulate in our lives will significantly impact how fully we will be able to enter Lent’s depths. We can create space through traditional Lenten practices, like reading Scripture, praying daily, walking meditations, participating in small groups, practicing gratitude, serving others, and actively engaging in a faith community. We can also create space by giving up things that tend to distract us.
However we’re moved to create space, doing so at Lent’s beginning will greatly enrich our journey.
Making It Personal: Is there a practice you want to take on for Lent? Is there something you want to give up to make space for your soul to grow?