Lent: the WHY is more important than the WHAT

Today began the season of Lent.

For some this is a very holy, worshipful season. For others it is a remote ritual to get through like every other year. Or its a weird thing that religious people or another faith does.

Indulge on Tuesday. Ashes on Wednesday. Endure like a martyr for 39 more days. Put up with family over the holiday weekend. Back to normal that Monday.

This isn’t Lent.

With Lent the WHY is more important than the WHAT. Why you are doing what you are doing in observation of Lent is more important than what you are doing.

Lent is not an obligatory facade, not something to march through so at the end one can say, “Spiritual Achievement Unlocked.” Lent should not be trivialized by those participating in it. It could possibly, maybe be said that, “I’m going to give up watching TV between midnight and 6am,” follows the letter of the law. But it certainly insults the spirit of it.

The WHY is more important than the WHAT.

It is a focus on Jesus.
It is a focus on my frailty & failings before Him.
It is a 40 day focus on His cross, a focus that hopefully continues.

However I adjust my life’s rhythm, the motive behind it is to enhance that focus, that frail reality, that intimacy. Something is given up because it could be a distraction or because I want to make more time and space for looking toward Jesus. That look is the goal, not being able to say, “I gave _____ up.”

Maybe for some the thing to give up is the absence of a spiritual focus, to release the vacancy of a genuine search for God. Rather than giving up alcohol for 40 days, maybe giving up spiritual apathy would be more of a challenge. Instead of removing chocolate, adding a daily search in the scripture, a daily time in prayer. Rather than begrudgingly letting go of something you intentionally take the time to daily show thankfulness or creativity.

“I’ve always done it” and childhood guilt are horrible reasons for observing Lent.
Wanting a clearer look at Jesus. That’s perfect.

What will Lent be for you?

Here are some suggestions we gave out at our church if they would be a help to you in truly embracing Lent: LINK.