What Is Lent?

Lent is a season leading up to Easter. It is 40 days (not including Sundays) which is representative of Jesus spending 40 days in the desert fasting + preparing for His public ministry. Lent is a season to realign our lives with God by taking on the heart + mind of Jesus.

Lent is not in the Bible. To be clear, I believe the Bible is inerrant. I don't hold the tradition of Lent to be more important than the Bible or equal to the Bible. I appreciate the tradition of Lent. It has helped me draw more near to Jesus. To intentionally create more awareness of the heart + mind of Jesus.

Lenten season most typically consists of at least one or a combination of the following: fasting, prayer, service and deep reflection. It's an opportunity to remove obstacles and disrupt our lives on purpose to create internal change. However you observe it, I hope you can find ways to draw closer to God and others in your life.

Prayer In Action

Picking something to fast from looks much different than it did when Lent first became a thing. We live in a very noisy world with a lot of distractions. Fasting from food is one way to go, but you can also fast from any material thing or habit that gets in the way of living in the peace of Jesus and better health. This can even be an attitude or belief. It could be cynicism, complaining, complacency, comparison. Whatever you choose to remove out of your daily rhythm, this can also be a prayer. Each time you notice the urge, desire, or encounter the thing you are fasting from, redirect your attention to Jesus.

Empty To Make Space

When Jesus did not eat food for 40 days while in the desert, he was at his strongest. He emptied, so he could be completely full of the Holy Spirit. When we empty, we have space to fill with something better. If we keep adding without subtracting, eventually there is no room. For a moment, think of your breath. How much we exhale determines how much we can inhale. Letting go with the exhale, so we can breathe more nourishing input in on the inhale.

Picking Your Thing

Sit quietly.

Review your day.

Reflect on what you did in the last 24 hours.

Ask yourself when did I feel close to God and when did I feel far from God and what was I doing when I felt that way?

Remain in the silence and stillness.

Listen to what God's Spirit is telling you.

Simple Practices For Lent

Observing the season of Lent is new to me, but the meaning behind and practices within are not. This year I will be offering simple practices each week to help prepare our hearts for Easter. I'm hopeful that intentionality and awareness in our daily activities will help etch on our hearts the significance of why we celebrate Easter.