One of the things I most often hear people mention about Lent is to ask the question, “What are you giving up for Lent?” Random strangers and people who never seemed to talk about anything dealing with matters of faith at any other time would suddenly speak about what they were “giving up.” And the answer is almost always chocolate, sweets, social media, some kind of drink, a TV show, or some sort of thing that signals deprivation of some kind.
Funny thing, this view of Lent (the forty days, excluding Sundays, starting with Ash Wednesday and ending the day before Good Friday, before Easter) actually starts in a somewhat humorous though telling way. The day before Ash Wednesday is called Fat Tuesday. Why? Because people typically “pig out” on whatever food they plan to deny themselves or have one last fling with the activities that will change. That tells you a lot about us, doesn’t it? Most of us approach Lent with a half and half attitude. We want to do something “special,” especially if it’s a God-thing, but we too easily see it as something that takes away instead of gives.
If we want to make Lent really matter beyond Easter, we need to change that. What if you consider adding instead of taking away during these 40 days? Traditionally, Lent focuses on three pillars: prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. Let’s take a look.
Here are a few suggestions that may help this be a season that will actively build new patterns of discipleship long past Easter.
Prayer – You probably already spend time talking to God each day. Try pairing up your prayer time with reading the books of Luke and John during Lent. There are 24 chapters in Luke and 21 in John. You will be right at the resurrection when you are finished. Ask God as you pray to help you build your life on whatever truth He showed you that day. Make a prayer list of issues and people God brings to mind through Lent and record any answers. Start a gratitude journal, on paper or on your phone. List at least one thing daily for which you thank God.
Giving – This is what almsgiving means, but it’s more than money. Picking a project to support or someone who needs financial help to bless during this time is a great idea. Making sure to practice acts of kindness daily is a great way to spend Lent. Of course, you’re a kind person normally. But this is more than just being kind if there’s an obvious situation that needs you. This is deliberately planning each day to proactively do something kind and unexpected for at least one person every day. Get groceries for or visit a shut in. Invite someone new to your small group or to weekend worship, and offer to sit with them, maybe even go for coffee. Give grace and mercy in any strained or broken relationship you have.
Fasting – Giving up something that’s habitual and meaningful to you throughout Lent can be very helpful. Don’t just give up food as a way to diet, or a TV show or drink you quickly replace with something else. Fasts are meaningful when we use each moment we abstain from the item or activity we have selected to truly focus on the reason, the Person, and the purpose behind it all.
How about this? Identify an attitude, some language, some habits that need to be permanently gone? How about toxic relationships that draw you away from God? Or input you allow into your life that is not helpful? Lent is a good time to get rid of those things, not for a season, but for life.
Lent can be the growing season. Let’s make it happen.