The Lenten
season is often a time for a spiritual check-up and accountability. For me it is
a time to consider spiritual questions that have to do with my faith journey.
This idea is basic to our Wesleyan heritage. Participants in the eighteenth
century class meetings of John Wesley’s day were asked the same question every
week as a point of inquiry regarding their faith development: “How is it with your soul?” This profound
question lies at the heart of the matter. How we answer this question depends
to some degree on how we can answer other questions related to our growth in
Christian discipleship.
Am I being
intentional about my journey of faith? How
is my prayer life? What additional
spiritual disciplines do I need to practice?
What lessons and insights am I gaining from reading the scriptures? How am I applying such insights required of
Christian living? In what ways does my
life include acts of love and kindness?
Asking and
responding to questions such as these becomes transformational. To find answers
to such inquiries prepares us to ask the most important question of all: “Lord,
what do you desire from me today?” This
question alone can help shape our journey of faith, as we become more aware of our
surroundings and the persons who occupy space with us for this moment in time.
It opens us up to be inspired for actions we can take to make a difference.
What does the Lord require? This is the
central question of faith that has been raised in every age. It was answered
many years ago in Old Testament times by the prophet Micah: “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what
does the Lord require of
you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (6:8- NRSV)
Now that we know the answer to this question, we are
confronted with another one. How will we allow these imperatives to find expression
in our lives today? We are called to live the answers to such faith questions each
and every day.
