Lent Guide 2023Sample

WEEK 1: When I compare

Who Am I?
Who am I? They often tell me
I stepped out from my cell’s confinement
calmly, cheerfully, firmly,
like a Squire from his country house.

Who am I? They often tell me
I used to speak to my warders
freely and friendly and clearly,
as though it were mine to command.

Who am I? They also tell me
I bore the days of misfortune
equably, smilingly, proudly,
like one accustomed to win.

Am I then really that which other men tell of?
Or am I only what I know of myself?
Restless and longing and sick, like a bird in a cage,
struggling for breath, as tough hands were compressing my throat,
yearning for colors, for flowers, for the voices of birds,
thirsting for words of kindness, for neighbourliness,
tossing in expectation of great events,

powerlessly trembling for friends at an infinite distance,
weary and empty at praying, at thinking, at making,
faint, and ready to say farewell to it all.

Who am I? This or the Other?
Am I one person to-day and to-morrow another?
Am I both at once? A hypocrite before others,
and before myself a contemptible woebegone weakling?
Or is something within me still in me like a beaten army,
fleeing in disorder from a victory already achieved?

Who am I? they mock me, these lonely questions of mine.
Whoever I am, Thou knowest, O God, I am thine!

Dietrich Bonhoeffer(Translated by J.B. Leishman)

Num. 13: 30,31,33, 14: 1-3

Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”

But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?”

Sunday - Comparison

That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.

Galatians 5:26 (MSG)

In the wilderness, that which is in us often comes to the fore. We might be shocked at what comes out and feel that that’s not really who we are. At least not who we want to be. The dynamic of comparison of comes into play. To compare is to try to fit in and stand out, all at the same time. It’s being like everybody, only better. We see how this happens to the Israelites. There is upward (with those who are “better” than us) and downward (with those who are “worse” than us) comparisons that happen. It can lead to admiration and respect, but more often it leads to envy, jealousy, murmuring and happiness about others’ misfortune. To compare has a big effect on our emotions, which in turn affects our relationships and self-image.

Exercise: Become aware of the comparisons you make in your life. Ask Him to lead you to a new life of freedom.

Grace:

Lord, I ask for the grace of a life free from comparison.