It seems appropriate that we are closing out the season of Lent with a call to fast, in some way, from media consumption. I have found myself anxious in the last few days, scanning Facebook and Twitter to read who is saying what about any matter of issues, especially those closest to our church family. It’s like there is a little voice in my mind telling me to keep seeking out more: more information, more knowledge, more opinions. The relentless pursuit of more has rarely gotten me anywhere worth going, but it’s hard to resist the drive to refresh my inbox just one more time before I go to bed.

In the gospels, we read about Jesus stilling the storm on the Sea of Galilee. The Sea of Galilee was known for its fierce and ferocious storms, often brought on without warning, and the people in the area would have been frightened by any sudden squall. With fear and trembling, the disciples rouse Jesus from sleep (who sleeps during a storm?) and he told the wind and the waves to be still. Then, turning his attention on his disciples, Jesus asked what it was they were so afraid of. They were so in awe, they couldn’t think of what to say.

Lent is a little bit like the time before waking Jesus. Our savior is working on our behalf even when we least expect it, but all we can see are the rising waves and the stirring wind. In our fear, we can turn to distraction. Watching television can be a great, interesting, thought-provoking experience--but it can also numb our minds. Connecting with friends online can be such a gift, but it can also keep us from time of quietude and engender comparison. So these last weeks of Lent, we will fast from media, in some form or another. You can choose what that will look like for you. Only know that in the moments of fear or doubt, when you would like an easy answer, that God is not sleeping but is working your salvation out for you.