Until recently, I had no idea that some people don’t like the idea of Lent. I get that some people don’t observe it–I don’t get into Advent or the Jewish feasts. But I respect and support my friends and family in their observance of these celebrations–I know it draws them closer to God.
Even though I don’t observe Lent in the traditional way, it has been a sacred time for me. During certain seasons of Lent, God has called me to fast from both fear and worry. It was a new concept to “give up” negative, destructive habits in my life–but oh, what benefits I reaped! It will be interesting to see what fruit my involuntary “comfort fast” yields. (I would have much preferred to just give up chocolate!)
Is Lent mentioned in the Bible? No–but neither is Christmas or Easter (as far as celebrations go). But I really like this explanation of why some Christians observe the sacrificial season of Lent:
Lent isn’t in the bible…but you can find its rhythm there. Seasons of forty days are found in the Old as well as the New Testament. Early followers of Jesus developed spiritual habits (disciplines, practices) to invigorate their personal and corporate spirituality. Lent traces its roots to this earliest tradition of Christ followers. Wanting to emphasize the power of the Cross and significance of the resurrection, they set aside this season to reflect on life, sin, love, God’s intervention, sacrifice and victory for humankind.
Today, Lent is sacred for some, ignored by others, and there are some for whom it may have become an empty and lifeless practice. Like anything good, it is only as good as it is meaningful to the practitioner. There is a great richness here if we will linger in the experience. (www.ilent.org)
Honestly, I’d never even heard of Lent until I was in college in St Louis– a very Catholic city. I didn’t know what all these people were going on about with dirt on their faces the day after Mardi Gras, and the concept of Lent or Holy Week was lost on me. When Jered and I were married in living in Hannibal, MO, God gave us our home church. . . and it was a traditional Presbyterian church. No ashes on our foreheads but every other aspect of the 40 days leading up to Easter was observed. I found it beautiful and oh so reverent. To this day, though the church we are in now either ignores or scoffs at Lent, I quietly acknowledge Ash Wednesday and the 40 days leading up to the Lord’s sacrifice by touching His spirit within me every time I’m conscious of it — much like a yogi touches his breath in meditation. I enjoy reading your blog as well as my cousins’ and getting to share your faith journey over a thousand miles