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Viewpoint from Rev Helen Lynch 05/04/2019

Rev Helen Lynch
Curate, Great Yarmouth Team Ministry

as published in the Yarmouth Mercury

So, here we are, hurtling through Lent, nearly at Easter. Lent is a time of repentance and denial; sackcloth and ashes. A time to take a good hard look at ourselves, work on all the ways we have messed up, address our failings. A time to do our best just to be a bit less rubbish. Isn’t it?
 
To be honest, I struggle a bit with that kind of thinking about Lent. The idea that we fall far, far short of God’s ideal for creation, and, because of that we need to spend six weeks reminding ourselves how awful we are. How hopeless. How unlovable
 
Now, if there were someone we loved beating themselves up about things that had gone wrong for them, what would we say to them?
 
I’m pretty sure most of us would be there lifting up, encouraging, saying healing words, trying to help them see themselves into a brighter future. And so we do fall short of God’s ideal for us when we refuse to allow God in to heal our brokenness, when we refuse to acknowledge that we are each of us known, completely, and loved, completely, by God
 
Sin is often described as that which separates us from God. When we cling onto our brokenness, when we don’t allow ourselves to be loved into wholeness and wellness, then we keep that separation from God. And perhaps we talk ourselves into believing that we are unreachable, incurable, and irredeemable. Perhaps our broken edges are so sharp that it hurts even to acknowledge them, and to allow ourselves to be nurtured by God and by one another
 
But, really and truly, this world is broken enough. The news every day brings more chaos, horror, and uncertainty. So, if you’re still haven’t worked out what to give up this Lent, how about giving up the distractions and excuses that allow you to stay wounded and broken. Give up believing that you’re not good enough to be loved. Give up ignoring your fear, your anger, and your sadness. Because knowing and understanding them is a strength
 
Healing, love, and wholeness is yours, if you accept it. That’s not the same as being perfect, or denying our flaws and scars. It’s accepting that invitation from God to just be held. Just be known. Just be loved. Just be made whole in God’s loving kindness

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