Ash Wednesday

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 13. That is not too far away, and it is not too early to start thinking about Lenten practices of letting go and taking on. Lent is a 40-day preparation period before Easter. This period of intentional preparation is a time of spiritual examination, fasting, repentance, moderation and discipline. The purpose of the season of Lent is to refocus our whole lives on Jesus--the way Jesus lived and died sacrificially for us--a life we, as Christians, have been called to embody in all we think, say and do. Usually verses from Joel 2 are read on Ash Wednesday. The heart of these verses from Joel 2 are verses 12-13, "The Lord says, 'Return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, with weeping, with mourning…rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for God is gracious and merciful.'" So, the 40-day season of Lent can be called a season of return.

The season of Lent is the beginning of our return to the Lord in those areas of our life that have lost touch with God. It has been church tradition to choose something to give up or take on that will deepen our relationship with God. Many people today give up things like chocolate and soda. Those aren't necessarily bad things to give up since we live in a world of overconsumption and greed where many of us do not honor God with our bodies as temples of God (1 Cor. 6:19). But the habit today is to usually refrain from things such as chocolate and sodas for 40 days, and then return to old habits of overconsumption and greed. That is not the purpose of Lent. Lent is the practice period for real and permanent changes that will not only draw us closer to God during the season of Lent, but that we will develop spiritual practices of moderation and discipline that will draw us closer to God beyond the weeks of Lent. God does not want us to return to him for just 40 days only to return to old habits of self-indulgence, greed and overconsumption. Rather God desires that the 40 days of Lent will cause our hearts to return to him for good. 

So, as this Lenten season approaches look at your life and examine those places you need fasting, repentance, moderation and discipline--those places you need to return or give over to the Lord. Think about giving up or taking on practices that will lead to permanent changes in your life, so that your life will better glorify God even beyond the season of Lent. After all the purpose of all of our lives, no matter our occupation or hobbies, is to glorify God in all we think, say and do. Ask yourself (and be honest): Where in your life could you better glorify, serve and deepen your relationship with God? "The Lord says, 'Return to the Lord, your God, for God is gracious and merciful.'" Blessings on your journey of return!