Lent Guide 2023Sample

Thursday – Daring to accept myself as I am

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

(Ephesians 2:10)

"Finally, I am coming to the conclusion that my highest ambition is to be what I already am. That I will never fulfil my obligation to surpass myself unless I first accept myself, and if I accept myself fully in the right way, I will already have surpassed myself." – Thomas Merton

We often try to hide, neglect, or reject the parts of ourselves we consider unacceptable. As a result, we might spend a lot of energy trying to change ourselves in vain.

Although it may seem counterintuitive, self-acceptance will lead me to transformation. It does not mean that I ignore my weaknesses and sin. Instead, it means that I become more aware of who I am and accept myself as I am. St. Paul reminds us that God's grace saves us as we are – strengths and weaknesses, gifts and sins. The Lord makes us worthy, and if God accepts us as we are, we should accept ourselves. God works with what we are and not what we are trying to be.

Paradoxically, I become much more in touch with the fact that I am God's handiwork when I accept myself as I am now.

Self-acceptance means recognising that my value goes beyond my attributes and actions. It goes beyond what I think. When I dare to accept myself, I become more authentic and discover what I truly desire. My desires shift and change all the time. However, my deepest desire to be accepted, valued and loved, do not change. The way I seek their fulfilment, however, will change. I will not be pursuing who I am not, but accepting who I am and relying more intentionally on God.

Exercise:

What part of yourself do you tend to hide, neglect, or reject? What part of yourself do you consider to be unacceptable? Speak to the Lord about this. If you have a spiritual companion, consider sharing your reflections with them. Accepting ourselves and learning that we are good enough as we are, is a journey that we walk together with God and others.

Grace:

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. (Jeremiah 31:3)