On Lent

Source: youtube.com

The Lord has me really reflecting upon the upcoming season of Lent this year.

As an evangelical Protestant, I have never observed Lent (other than reading a Lenten devotional)--it just hasn't been part of the rhythm of any of the churches I have attended in my life.  I've known friends who have observed Lent, but it has usually been to give up things like chocolate or social media, or to enter a season of dieting.  These things just haven't seemed that spiritual to me--superfluous at best, legalistic at worst.

But this year it is different for me.

I feel the Lord wooing me to slow down and reflect upon what this season in the church calendar can mean for me this year.

Although Lent is never described within the pages of Scripture, it is a church tradition that dates back to the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD.  It starts on Ash Wednesday (Feb 14th this year) and ends on Easter Sunday (April 1st), always totaling 47 days.

So what exactly is the purpose of Ash Wednesday?  Basically, it is a day of repentance, fasting, prayer, and powerful reminders: reminders that we will one day return to ashes ("for you are dust, and to dust you shall return" Gen 3:19) and that we are human and frail.  For many, it can also be a way to publicly profess your faith in Christ as you wear the cross of ashes on your forehead as you go about your day.

Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent which is a period of slowing down, repenting, and reflecting according to Church tradition.  Sundays are feast days throughout this 7-week season, and for some faith traditions, Fridays involve a fast from meat.  To me, Lent is to Easter as Advent is to Christmas: a season to prepare, reflect, and look toward the hope that only Christ can bring.

This year I want to prayerfully consider observing Lent as the Lord leads me.  Already, I feel the prompting to fast from something that relates to my identity as a person.  For me, that would involve my appearance, my productivity, sense of accomplishment, and things I take delight in other than the Lord.  Not sure what that means in practical terms--whether I ought to fast from shopping or social media, shelve a hobby for a season, or abstain from wine or sweets.  But I plan to continue to pray and seek God's guidance with these things.

If you have the time, I'd highly encourage you to listen to this fun and informative podcast about the practice of Lent for today's believer.  It is an interview between author/speaker Annie F. Downs and the founding ladies at She Reads Truth, Amanda Bible Williams and Rachel Myers.  It will answer many questions for you and also get you thinking about this precious season in our church tradition.

Last year, Annie Downs gave up wearing makeup for Lent, which for her boiled down to control: controlling what others think of her and her face.  She writes about it here.  It was a very difficult, and yet profound, exercise for her.

I can see now that fasting from things I used to feel were superfluous--like chocolate and social media--can be very meaningful for you in your spiritual walk if that is something that you draw identity from or place pleasure in, apart from the Lord.

What I am realizing is that Lent is a very personal season, and we are not to judge those who don't observe it (it is not a Scriptural command, after all) or to judge what another person may fast from, or add into their life, during this spiritual season.

So, what about you, dear one?  Have you observed Lent most of your life, or is this a new practice for you to consider, too?  I'd encourage us to think upon it, while Ash Wednesday is still a few weeks away.  Does the Lord have something to teach you or show you during the season of Lent?  Let's prayerfully consider what this season means for us this year!