Some Thoughts on Lent

It's that time again. Ash Wednesday...the beginning of Lent. Or, as some of my college friends might say, "death to chocolate."

It always seems to surprise me how quickly Lent approaches on the calendar. Doesn't it seem to you as though we just finished Christmas? I mean, I know Valentine's Day is tomorrow, for goodness sake. So, for anyone who is remotely paying attention it shouldn't be a "surprise."

Yet for me, somehow, it is. Every year.

This year was no exception. Part of me is just NOT READY to undertake the sacrifice. Or maybe, like every year, a big part of me JUST DOESN'T WANT TO.

I feel as though I have just stopped hearing "It's the most wonderful time of the year" everywhere I go.

Come to think of it...I suppose that's appropriate. After all, I'm sure, very few look to the season of Lent as a "wonderful time."

A season of stretching? Sure.
A time for reflection and remembering? Of course.
A set-aside few days to honor God's plea to his people in Joel 2: return to me with all your heart! Yes.
A few weeks of sacrifice as we journey with Jesus toward the cross ...Most certainly.
A 40 day journey of humbling ourselves before a Holy God? Absolutely.

A wonderful time of the year?

Actually... maybe.

Personally, I'm no masochist. Yet, there is something alluring to my deep self about a season of time to say "no" just for the sake of saying "no." I'll admit, sometimes for me it is more like a tantrum-esque NOOOOO!...but, maybe that's part of the point?

In the Gospel of Matthew we have a beautiful passage of stunning allure and gripping intensity. Jesus basically says, if you want to be my disciples you must deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24-26). Those words of Jesus offer an invitation to all who would seek to be a true believer.

Now, please don't misunderstand me; I am NOT saying that you must observe Lent to be saved. What I AM saying is that Jesus made it clear to his disciples that those who would seek to be His true disciple must be about the things He was about, and must take into account His perspective, and must be willing to follow Him - remembering that He led the way to redemption...through death.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Following Jesus is an invitation to death. To lay down your life. To honor and forgive others even when (or better said, especially when?) they don't deserve it. To choose to be about something bigger and larger than your own personal comfort and agenda.

No my friends, Lent is not a mandate in scripture. But, it is an invitation to a few weeks of a deeper, more intentional journey with the One who took your place, loves you deeper than you can imagine, and saw fit to create you in the first place.


DENY, DEATH, DISCOMFORT...

This may seem like a tangent, but bear with me for a moment. As a youth pastor for several years one of the questions I often encountered regarding faith was "why are things sometimes so difficult for me?" It's an honest question, and one I know matters deeply to God. The issue is significant, and I am absolutely convinced Yahweh wants to resolve that issue in the depths of our deep, true selves.

And yet...

He still allows some really junky stuff in life. And, sometimes I wonder if God allows some of those things because we have built up facades of perfection, self-sufficiency, pride, and a self-centric view of the world. Now, I am absolutely NOT saying that God brings disaster to punish our lives because we don't "measure up." I'm not intending to imply anything remotely close to that.

But, I am suggesting that a holy God most certainly cannot be pleased with a self-centric worldview that sees everything through the lens of "me, mine, my, and I."

ESPECIALLY one who Himself modeled the EXACT OPPOSITE!

Remember, He came not to be served but to serve (Matt 20:28). And, though He was God, he did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but...took the form of a servant and became obedient to death...on a cross (paraphrase of Philippians 2:6-8).

Isn't it appropriate we would find some time, AT LEAST annually, to realign with His heart, His mind, His way of doing things? To humble ourselves before Him and say, "Not my wisdom, but Thine. Not my way, but Thine. Not my will, but Thine."

One of the invitations of Lent is to choose, willingly, to fast from something (or multiple somethings if you'd prefer, it's really a personal choice). It's a time of saying no, of laying down, of turning aside, of fasting. Now, here's the deal: fasting can be difficult, painful, and it certainly is not pleasant or fun. Frankly it's not comfortable to remove something you like from your life. But, believe me when I say, willfully choosing to do so can also be amazingly meaningful.

Consider for a moment the act of willingly saying NO to something (even if there is pain, discomfort, or withdrawal symptoms). That small action has the power to break that thing's power and hold over you. It has the power to humble you (you might realize how entrenched you were with that thing). It has the power to encourage you (you are not defined by this thing, and you are loved even in its absence). And, it has the power to reshape your life in a new and dynamic way.

It's actually an awesome invitation, if you think about it.

You don't think you're addicted to your cell phone? Can you go a day with it off? How about an afternoon? An hour? Maybe finding a way to say NO to something electronic in your life would help clarify how much of yourself you spend with that thing, how reliant you are upon it, and how distracted you can become by it. The same gauntlet could be issued for your television set, your Netflix account, your IPAD, IPOD, XBOX and /or DVD player. The thing doesn't matter as much as your willingness to choose to say no.

Some fast from food items like sweets, meat, fast food, or caffeine. (All are fasts I've tried throughout various years - talk about painful withdrawals!). Others fast from one meal a day, or one day a week throughout Lent. I knew of a friend in college who fasted from chips and salsa. I rarely eat chips and salsa, so for me that wouldn't really be giving anything special up. But, that's the point. This is a personal choice. It is private. It is something between you and God. Others don't even have to know.

In fact, it might be better if they don't!

Consider Jesus warning from the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6:16-21 (NASB).
"Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

The point is to choose to say no to something to create space in your life. It's really not that complicated. And, I'm not really sure it matters what the thing is. Maybe you can fast from gossip, or chewing gum, or playing mini-golf (if that's something you enjoy). Again, the thing or action you fast from doesn't matter as much as your willingness to say no to that something in your life.

I'll bet (if you take this invitation seriously) you'll find it tough at times, and that feelings of frustration and/or anger will come to the surface, and that you'll be tempted to give up on your fast before Easter. Personally speaking, for me, without exception, every year whatever item or action I "give up" for Lent becomes a huge temptation for me in those days.

Fasting is a tough business.

It is also a gracious space.

Choosing to say no, and allowing something you like and enjoy to rest dormant for a few days is not the end of the world. In fact, you might even find new life, hope, and purpose in its absence.

But don't just take my word for it.

Try saying no to something, just for the sake of saying no to that thing. It doesn't mean you can never watch TV again, listen to your favorite band or play that video game you love. It is just an invitation to willingly push something non-essential out of your life, for a time, so that it is no longer at the forefront of your life, in order to make space and take a rest from the thing or the activity. You may find it has less power than you think; or, you may find it painfully obvious the thing had consumed more of you than you were aware.

Either way, it is in the "saying no" that we are stripped of things which can be distractions and potentially addictions, so that we can say, "YES."


TAKE UP...OPEN HANDS, OPEN HEART

Lent is not just about fasting.

It is also about engaging.  Engaging the world, being intentional to serve and give and grow and learn...and be humbled by the reality that the world, and God's plan for it, is in fact NOT all about you.

Yes, you matter. But, not more than your neighbor who is hungry, your friend who is in need, or your enemy who you are called to love and forgive. They matter too. Just as much as you do.

And so, another thing to consider throughout Lent is what is something you can "add" or "take up" or be intentional about doing that would please God? How can you partner with God to see His kingdom come, here on earth, today, in your neighborhood, with the resources you have at your disposal?

What can you do to be intentionally about reconciliation? Is there a personal relationship you need to mend? Someone you need to forgive, or someone you need to ask forgiveness from? Is there an injustice you can help make right? Or, a way to give to someone, anonymously, just for the sake of blessing them?

Is there a rhythm of life you need to address? For instance, maybe you are so busy and life is too hectic, so you really don't spend any intentional time reading Scripture, praying, reflecting, journaling, or listening anymore. Might you consider adding something to your days throughout Lent that could help you be more intentional and stay more focused, be "plugged in" and attentive to what God is doing in and around your life?

Some ideas might include 15 minutes of silence each noon hour. Read through the Bible. (There are only a few days in Lent, so this one would take a significant time commitment). Or, maybe just sit with the Gospel accounts of Jesus's last few days before his crucifixion. Pray through the Lord's Prayer each morning and every night before bed. Read writings from Church Father's or classic Christian literature...stretch your Kindle space to include those who have gone before whose perspective has proven trustworthy (like C.S. Lewis, Andrew Murray, St. Teresa of Avila, or the Didache - a collection of the earliest Christian writings; you can find copies on the internet).

Some other ideas might include: taking a nightly walk throughout your neighborhood and ask God what He sees you might be missing. (Be willing to move into action!). Journal and reflect upon your life in Christ, as Him to show you needed areas of reconciliation. Recycle, pick up neighborhood trash, or join a community effort.

Do something that is not "about you." Do it joyfully, BECAUSE it is not about you. Be creative, generous, and give abundantly. Stretch yourself, walk by faith, and see what happens.

These things are just suggestions.It's really, truly, not about what you do. It IS about doing what you do, whatever it is, for the glory of God...with a humility that says, "God, I am sorry... I am sorry I don't live this way always." Or, "I am sorry I've been ignoring your presence in my life." Or, "I am sorry I have been part of the problem, help me to be a part of the solution!"

In addition to a fast, this is also the meaning and invitation of Lent. To do something new, try something different, give yourself to a practice outside your comfort zone, and see what God does! Making time and space for Him is never an empty and void task.


DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.

Lent starts today. It's something many of us in Protestant circles are skeptical of and can be confused by. It seems a "foreign" ritual, because it's not "ours." But, it's such a beautiful, rich, depening-of-faith thing, I wanted to help explain it.

At it's roots, the entire season of Lent - each day from Ash Wednesday through Holy Week to Easter is about remembering. Keeping Jesus central. Partnering with Jesus in His journey toward the cross. Seeking Jesus' heart and asking Him to make it your own. If that makes you uncomfortable, good! It should. These are no superficial, comfortable tasks.

The road to the cross was harsh. It cost Jesus His very life. It made no sense (at the time), and changed everything. But, that's the beauty of it.

Because Christ walked that road, we have "communion of saints, forgiveness of sin, and life everlasting" as the Apostle's creed affirms. That's a beautiful thing. It's something to celebrate. And we will, on Easter, when we acknowledge the cross and the grave do not have the final word.

But before we arrive there, we must journey there.
We must follow the path of our Savior.
Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Follow Jesus.

That is the invitation, as I understand it, for Lent.

Walk a closer walk with Jesus.
Set aside some of the excesses in your life.
Refocus refocus on Jesus the Christ.
Realign your heart and mind with his.
Renew your commitment to love, serve, obey and follow Him.
Remember, He's leading you down a road He Himself has already chosen, walked, and conquered.

And in your journey, may our Gracious Lord bless you and keep you. May He make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26).