Last spring, our OCF brought Fr. Stanley Harakas to Tallahassee—his presentation at F.S.U. was inspiring, to say the least. He challenged us to confront the critical moral issues of our time with love, discernment, and creativity. This year, just in time for Lent, we are again blessed with a prominent Orthodox theologian and pastor: Fr. Peter Gillquist.

As we prepare for his arrival in town (he'll be present for Liturgy on the 10th and the F.S.U. presentation will be on the 11th), I've selected Becoming Orthodox: A Journey to the Ancient Christian Faith as our February "Book of the Month." The book chronicles the modern spiritual journey of some 2000 evangelical Christians to the Orthodox Church, and has served as an inspirational framework for many other "searchers" of various Christian backgrounds who have taken their own, highly personal journies toward Orthodoxy.

But the book is also for those who've been Orthodox since the cradle—or at least for some time—who are in search of something, a sense of renewal, a state of invigoration, a new appreciation for the faith.

Familiarity doesn't necessarily breed contempt, but it often does breed complacency. On a certain level, sharing our faith and parish life with others comes naturally: we tell our friends and neighbors that we have a remarkable history, venerable traditions, powerful Sacraments, Apostolic succession, moving iconography … we tell them we have festivals, youth programs, and outreach events.

We tell them we are "old school," "authentic," and the "real deal." We tell them we have the "true faith." But what does this mean? We can read off the resume of our faith, but can we speak to its substance? Can we articulate to them not just that we "have" icons, but how the inspiration of the lives of the saints plays out in our lives each day? Can we express to them how every aspect of our community life—from philanthropy to education to fundraisers—is informed by the Person of Christ? How everything we do is in response to His great, unimaginable and unreasonable love for us? Can we tell them what it means to approach the chalice "with faith, love and the fear of God"?

We need to move from comfort and clichés to real learning, real understanding, real appreciation. We need to constantly see our faith with fresh eyes. And there's no better time to readjust our sites than the coming of Lent, which begins on March 10th.

I encourage you, as we approach this powerful, deeply transforming time of year, to recommit to your faith, to rediscover the power of Christ in your life … to "become" Orthodox all over again. I want you to take nothing for granted; I want you to hear the Liturgy with new ears, gaze upon icons with new eyes, and sing our beloved hymns with a new voice, with new conviction. Do these things with the interest, excitement, awe and thankfulness of the newest aspiring Orthodox Christian.

Read Fr. Peter's poignant book. Join us at F.S.U. on the 11th with an open heart. Fully participate in our Lenten "My Promise" program. Make worship a priority. Share your gifts and time with our ministries. Accept the Holy Spirit into your daily life and let Christ work through you. Say "I believe" each Sunday, at Liturgy, as if it were for the very first time.

Let's stop talking about our rich Orthodox traditions and start living them. If we do this, then we can finally—and truly—begin to share them.