Practicing Lent
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2
Jesus offered up His life. A sacrificial Lamb; The Way, the Truth, and the Life, He is the great I Am. What can I offer Jesus During Lenten season? Something truly worthy so I'd miss it for a reason. Lenten practice helps me to Dwell on God and think of All that He has done for me And His never-ending love. I can busy myself indulging in Things of temporary pleasure; Or invest my time on the needs of others That build up my heavenly treasure. When tempted with what I'm fasting I turn to God instead. I reflect on the life He's given me- The reason we break bread. Lord, speak to me during Lent, Giving me ears to hear; I decrease and You increase As I draw to You ever near.
As we begin the Lenten season, what comes to mind for you? When I think about Lent, my first thought is sacrifice. Jesus sacrificing His life. Me sacrificing something indulgent. But it’s more than just about giving up something. It’s gaining something as well. Jesus gained life everlasting not only for Himself but for those who believe in Him. (For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16) We gain a stronger relationship with God when we turn to Him instead of the thing we’re fasting on. (And when you draw close to God, God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and let your hearts be filled with God alone to make them pure and true to Him. James 4:8) Practicing Lent helps us honor God.
God isn’t really interested in the act of sacrificing, but what that sacrificing produces. (I don’t want your sacrifices-I want your love; I don’t want your offerings-I want you to know Me. Hosea 6:6) As humans, sometimes it takes giving something up in order to know God more. In our suffering, we turn to Him. When we turn to Him, we learn more about Him. The more we learn about Him, the stronger our faith becomes. As our faith grows, so does our love for Him. (We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. Romans 5:3-4)
Lent helps find balance in our lives. I can get caught up overindulging in watching TV, playing games, shopping, and eating. Giving up a specific thing for awhile and replacing that time with God gives us a reset. It helps us carve out time for God in our busyness. It’s been said it takes 21 days to form a habit. So, if we practice Lent (spending time with God in place of something else) each day, it will hopefully become a habit that we will continue after Lent. That doesn’t necessarily mean we have to give up that specific thing altogether, but that we will spend less time at it and invest more time with God. It won’t feel so much like a sacrifice, but rather a desire. (Celebrate God all day every day. I mean, revel in Him! Philippians 4:4)
May this Lenten season find you drawing closer to God as you meditate on His word in place of doing something else. Let this time become so dear that you continue on past Lent, reveling in His presence!
Lord, I pray that during Lent I will be consistent in my fasting. Speak to me as I meditate on Your Word, drawing me ever closer to You. Amen