​

Lent

​

​

​

 What is Lent?

​

“Lent is a period of fasting, moderation, and self-denial traditionally observed by Catholics and some Protestant denominations. It begins with Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter Sunday. The length of the Lenten fast was established in the 4th century as 46 days (40 days, not counting Sundays). During Lent, participants eat sparingly or give up a particular food or habit. It’s not uncommon for people to give up smoking during Lent, or to swear off watching television or eating candy or telling lies. It’s six weeks of self-discipline.”  (Got Questions 2019)

 

“The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer for Easter through prayer, doing penance, mortifying the flesh, repentance of sins, almsgiving, and self-denial. This event is observed in the Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, and Catholic Churches.”  (Wikepedia 2019)

 

I cringe when Lent rolls around.  I do not want to give up sugar.  If I do, I do not want to give up the feeling of pride that accompanies self discipline accomplished.  When I think about what to give up, or add to life during the Lenten season, I think in terms of what I think I could reasonably fit in that would ease my conscience and leave me a better person at the end of six weeks.  As I considered what to do for Lent this year however, it was brought to my attention that I could try giving up myself.

 

The idea is not as obvious or obscure as it seems.  To give up self is to give up not only what is measurable (ie. chocolate bars) but what is immeasurable (my lust for chocolate or the pride of self-discipline by which I can turn it down).  To give up self is not to simply denying myself of things I could have, but understanding that I deserve nothing, and ultimately have nothing were it not for Christ, whose death and resurrection I am preparing to celebrate this Easter.  

 

Giving up self does not create an empty vacuum, but rather a vacuum to be filled with the business of magnifying the One whom I was created to reflect and glorify.  It may be the denial of feasting on certain pleasures, but it may also be the denial of feasting on certain dispositions (ie. discontentment).

​

I am learning to think of Lent not in terms of what I can give, but in terms of what for God can be gained.  The emptying of self is good. God will fill every empty place He is invited in. The 40 days is an invitation.  At the end, may we celebrate not the return of things we have learned to do without, but the realization of all in Christ we have gained and is ours to keep for eternity.

​
 

“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith- that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ, that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”  

Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV)

​

​