Thoughts on the meaning of Lent

There is a group of guys I met with for two years in an LTG (Life Transformation Group) before I moved down here to Mexico City last fall. I now have one here, but those other guys and I still keep in contact via email and voice from time to time, and they often keep me in the loop by inviting me to do some things they are doing together in the word, as well as helping me continue to grow and process life with them. Well, Don invited us three others to join him in doing a devo every morning from a book during LENT and to pray about some things God may be inviting us to surrender or do during this season leading up to the day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

His little devo on Lent is below and what I decided to do as I sought the Lord follows it. I hope it encourages You to surrender those things that may be keeping you from more deeply connecting with the incredible joy found in Christ, and taking on things that will help you connect with Him.

Here is the brief words Don shared with us on the subject which I found very insightful and helpful.

“I wanted to give you a brief devo on LENT to prepare us for the season:

Lent refers to the forty days leading up to Easter. The Lenten season is set aside for self-examination, spiritual renewal, and growth. In many churches, it is seen as a time for fasting and abstinence, for alms-giving and acts of mercy, for repentance and prayer.

Augustine describes the season of Lent this way, ‘In what part of the year could the observance of the forty-day fast be more appropriately instituted than that adjoining, so to speak, and touching on, the Lords Passion?’

People may choose a variety of ways to observe Lent in their personal lives. Some choose to give up something for Lent; this may free them from a bad habit or a distraction or may simplify their lives, and it allows for more time to spend in studying Gods Word or in prayer. Others fast, to cleanse their bodies and to identify with the poor. Some choose to commit themselves to acts of mercy, to giving of their money and their time to service in the Kingdom. Some use these 40 days to focus on a particular portion of scripture or on a devotional book that helps them to journey with Christ to the cross. In all of these ways, people use this season for deeper reflection and preparation for the celebration of Christ’s victory over sin and death on Easter.

A Prayer for Lent, by Henri Nouwen
‘How often have I lived through these weeks without paying much attention to penance, fasting, and prayer? How often have I missed the spiritual fruits of the season without even being aware of it? But how can I ever really celebrate Easter without observing Lent? How can I rejoice fully in your Resurrection when I have avoided participating in your death?
Yes, Lord, I have to die with you, through you, and in you and thus become ready to recognize you when you appear to me in your Resurrection. There is so much in me that needs to die: false attachments, greed and anger, impatience and stinginess.... I see clearly now how little I have died with you, really gone your way and been faithful to it. O Lord, make this Lenten season different from the other ones. Let me find you again. Amen (A Cry for Mercy: Prayers from the Genesee; Image Books, 2002).’”

The above thoughts really remind me how much I allow God’s gifts to take the place of God Himself. I am so aware of my need for Him, but can be so unwilling to make sacrifices to seek Him to fill that need. And I realized I need a season like this—a season of being more intentional about sacrificing things to get closer to Him. So, I began to pray and ask Him what it is He was desiring me to surrender, and what it is He is desiring me to do in this season.

In my next message I will share more about what I decided to do. This message was going to be super long, so I broke it up into two. I invite you to pray about what God may be inviting you to give up or fast from in this season, in order to enjoy Him more and experience His presence anew.

Best to you,
ECS