Forty days and forty nights

Given the weather in Britain so far this year the forty days and forty nights of Lent seem more likely to resemble the Days of Noah than to mirror the Wilderness experience of Jesus.

Widespread rain and high winds have made this February the wettest on record for over 250 years. Daily news reports show both the damage done and the distress of those for whom this current inundation is not their first experience of flooding. Having made what preparations they can, they now watch and wait in fear of what will come next.

The ancient story of Noah tells of a similar experience. Noah, his family and an assortment of  animals sat on the ark and watched as the flood waters rose around them. But the waiting wasn't over when the rain finally stopped. It took months for the waters to subside and even longer before it was safe to leave the ark. Eventually, life on the outside was once again possible. A rainbow appeared and a new covenant between God and humanity was established. Noah and his family gave thanks to God and began the task of starting over. Noah's story is one of challenge and change.

We cannot know how long it will take for the floods to subside in the worst affected parts of Britain. Like those living through this challenging time we watch, we wait, we hope and we pray for a change in the weather. And perhaps, as we begin our Lenten reflection on the lives we live as people of faith, God will challenge us to consider how changes in our lives might contribute to creating a world in which life without fear of flood is possible.