Musings about Lent

I have always held a certain esteem for people who celebrate Lent. Because fasting and prayer, purification and sanctification are all spiritual disciplines I value. 

I have even wondered why Christians sit idly by while other denominations mark these 40 days leading up to Easter with reverence. This year, I decided I would personally do something for Lent. I discovered an awesome website with a challenge called 40 Acts devised to challenge us to be more Christ-like by serving, giving and worshiping in an attitude of gratitude. Perfect! All are also important in my faith walk. So we signed up as a family with gusto. 

Of course, it fizzled in a few days for the kids when a challenge couldn’t be completed in that day. For me, I started three days late, caught up and then fell behind when I didn’t meet an assigned deadline to call a friend I had not spoken to for some time. I had great intentions, as I often do, and I was disappointed (and truth be told, a little ashamed) that I could not do something so simple. 

Until I attended church on Sunday and in the midst of Bible study on the Passover, the minister/teacher reminded us to be careful when it comes to Lent — a religious institutional tradition that — if we let it, can overshadow the very intent of Easter. 

The Bible tells us that when we accept Christ, we are cleansed, set apart and made pure in God’s sight, due to the shed blood of Jesus. (Hebrews 9:11-14, 22; 13:12) No amount of fasting, abstaining from life’s pleasures or any self-denial will buy this grace. 

I realize I might not be the most popular person to criticize a ritual beloved by so many. But the Bible never mentions Lent. It does mention fasting, prayer and of course, the Passover. 

So, how do we prepare for Easter? Can we prepare for Easter? Should we prepare for Easter? 

I believe God wants just one thing from us: a relationship. There’s only one way to get it. Meet Him in prayer and in Bible reading. Focus on what makes all relationships better: time spent together, submission, service, love and acts of faith. 

It is very hard for me to do this and also admit it, but I am dropping the 40 Acts. Not because they were inherently bad or wrong, but because I was beating myself up over getting them done. God doesn’t intend for us to live in misery, guilt and shame. He delivered us from that with the greatest act of love — sending Jesus to suffer death on our behalf. 

Also, this very commitment had me putting myself front and center. It was about me — what I could do, how good I was, how many acts I could check off MY list. I must admit that I wasn’t exactly thinking about God a whole lot. 

Can I improve my relationship with God by fasting, abstaining or doing 40 Acts? Of course I can! God can use anything...and I mean, ANYTHING!

But after hearing this message on Sunday, it occurred to me that what I want most is to let God flow in and through me. It doesn’t require a formula. It won’t necessarily be accompanied by a checklist. An honest examination showed me that 40 Acts was not improving my relationship with Him.

Instead, I decided I will focus on reading His word and meditating on the Passover and its significance, as well as on the days leading up to Jesus’ death. These simple, humble acts are sufficient for God, which is comforting in itself. Plus, I know for a fact that God will meet me there!