The Devastating Beauty in Lent
Deeper than the traditions and the fasting of Lent, there is a devastating beauty to the season that can draw you nearer to Christ. Don’t miss it.
I have observed Lent for as many years as I can remember.
No, I’m not Catholic. I’m just a non-denominational Christian who is always looking for ways to draw nearer to Jesus. And Lent gives us a beautiful season to approach His throne differently.
Giving something up, whether it was chocolate or Facebook, has been a yearly tradition for me since I was a kid.
When I was young, I had no idea why I was giving things up. I mean, I’m sure I could have rattled off some facts about Jesus’ 40 days in the desert, Ash Wednesday, and Easter, but I didn’t grasp the greater reason behind it all.
In those days, it was just tradition – something we did as a family as a part of our Christian walk.
It was a lot easier back then.
Because when I didn’t understand, I didn’t have to confront my own sin. I didn’t have to acknowledge the strongholds in my life and muster up the strength and self-discipline to destroy them.
Following rules is easy for me.
You want me to give up dessert for 40 days? I can do that.
That’s surface level stuff.
There was no reason to dive down into those places deeply embedded into my life that, quite honestly, I prefer to keep hidden (even from myself).
It’s easier for me to celebrate the joy of Jesus than to remember all of the dark, uncomfortable reasons why I so desperately need Him.
But you can’t have one without the other.
What joy would there be in Jesus rising from the grave if I can’t fully grasp why He had to die for me to begin with?
Looking for the Ashes
Lent is no longer an annual tradition for me to check off of my list.
It’s not a superficial time for me to give up dessert (and hopefully lose a few pounds in the process).
It’s not about following the rules or wanting to impress others with my holy devotion.
- Lent is a time for me to look over my life, my body, my health, my schedule, my habits, and my soul and search for the brokenness.
- It’s about stripping away the things distracting me from His glory, the crutches I unintentionally lean on, and the cheap substitutes I try to derive joy from instead of relying wholly on the Real Thing.
- Lent is about spending a lot of time on my knees, literally next to my bedside, feeling the depth of my brokenness, repenting of my failures and shortcomings, and quieting the busyness of my soul to hear His still, small voice whispering grace.
Check out the year I gave up worry for Lent! That was one of my favorites.
How is Lent Drawing You Nearer to Jesus?
I don’t really care if you are giving up fast food, social media, or fasting every Friday (that was one of the most impactful practices of Lent for me).
I mean, I do care and I will do anything I can to support you in following through with your commitment, but that’s not where the importance lies.
To make Lent more than just an annual observance, it has to be about relationship building. So, you’re giving up chocolate? Awesome! Good for you!
How is that drawing you nearer to Jesus?
Maybe in those moments of sadness, boredom, or loneliness that you’re used to reaching for a candy bar, you now turning to Him in prayer or worship.
That is relationship building.
Maybe you are building your self-control, training yourself to be godly (1 Timothy 4:7).
That is relationship building.
Maybe giving up that something that might seem like a little thing is raising your awareness of how much you depend on other little things in life rather than the Lord.
That is relationship building.
Don’t get caught up in the lie that if you work hard enough giving up such and such during this time that God will love you more.
That goes against the very nature of His unconditional love and feeds your perfectionism more than your faith (I’m speaking from a lot of experience here).
I Need Thee Every Hour
Instead of getting caught up in what you are doing for Lent this year, I hope you spend time thinking about why you are doing it.
When you find those broken places in your life (which you will…if you don’t, you’re not looking hard enough!), lean into that desperate need for more Jesus.
Don’t run away in shame.
Don’t hide your inadequacies.
Instead, see your need and invite Him to fill it.
That is how He turns our ashes into something beautiful and life-giving.
My church in Tucson used to have the most beautiful Ash Wednesday service.
We turned the lights in the sanctuary off and lit the room with hundreds of candles.
In the silence at the beginning and end of the service, we had a slideshow play, simply consisting of words that would fade onto the screen. I reflect back on those words every year.
Prepare
Reconcile
Fast
Kneel
Repent
Ashes
Silence
Dust
Listen
Prayer
This season is a reminder of both my sinfulness and His holiness.
It’s not only seeing, but feeling that deep, unquenchable need that can only be satisfied by You.
It is something that is devastatingly beautiful and I hope and pray you don’t miss it.
How are you going to build your relationship with Jesus during Lent this year?
Leave a comment below and let me know.
I have never observed Lent because I was not raised in a church that observed it. This is a great article explaining what Lent is meant to be. I need to give up my personal rights. I get on my “soapbox” from time to time for a few days. Yesterday was the day to question why my husband couldn’t have a caregiver from his agency(I felt taken advantage of). I didn’t stop there. I also reported illegal dumping of trash and furniture across from my house which is on dead end street(it has been accumulating for 3 months but got worse last week). Still that wasn’t enough, I had to email the city asking why was the recycling center closed 2 days per week for Covid Vaccinations without communication to the residents and an alternative location not made available. After all, our city officials got us residents “hooked” on recycling about 20 years ago then they took our cans away few months ago and put it on residents to take their recyclables to center. The truth is I was out of sorts because I had lost sleep for 2 nights straight. I had to keep my 18 month old grandson while his mom worked because his daycare was closed for inclement weather. I did not have the in home support for my husband. AND I was tired of being forced to look at Garbage and old furniture out my front window. So, last night and today it came to me! I need to give my rights to God! Let God take care of everything! He already has taken care of my husband’s care for today and next week, most of the garbage and old furniture! I need to write it in big letters! Give it to God! Tell it to Jesus!
Loved it! Thank you for this great article about Lent!
I am giving up Facebook. I am constantly clicking and scrolling wasting time. I decided to give it up, so all of the time I spend on there, I can spend in my Bible app. Learning and drawing nearing to the Lord.
His Glory!! Thanks…..Peace, Love, Joy, Favor and Blessings!!
I have been working on forgiveness. I think instead of giving something up I am going to work on giving something. Forgiveness to the person who has hurt me the most. Forgiveness to help me move forward. This has been very difficult for me to do, hurts have been so deep and from a trusted family member. But I believe God is telling me it is time to give up the hurt and give forgiveness.
Thank you for the post. Blessings to you and your family.
Great and inspired word about Lent. I was a Catholic as a child and it was just routine to give up sweets (and I always did it because I had to, but struggled). The last few years I haven’t observed Lent but after reading this fresh approach I am going to talk to God daily about how to keep my self control going forward not just during this season. I do not want to just go back to my old ways after Lent which is what used to happen and ended up thinking whats the point? I need my sacrifice to have lasting meaning and to help bring me closer to Jesus. Thanks for all you share, everything you say is so inspiring and relevant. Pam x
I am not a Christian/ Catholic, but after reading this beautiful article about the tradition of Lent, I am motivated to follow it this year. Thank you so much for beautifully explaining the significance of this tradition and how it helps us to connect with our Source.
This is the best I’ve ever read on Lent. Thank you for challenging us.
Thank you so much, Cynthia! That really means a lot to me.
I don’t know what I will be fasting yet but I will be writing Scriptures (a few verses a day) with a 40 Day Lent writing plan. Thank you for this encouragement and reminder!
I love Scripture writing challenges! God’s Word always transforms me.
This is such a timely post. I have given up social media the last couple of years but this year felt different. Both of my parents died this year, and because of Covid we have not been able to celebrate their lives together. My youngest child went away to college so we are an empty nest. I feel like I’ve lost so much this year that giving up social media felt kind of trivial.
I love the thought of how can Lent build my relationship with Christ. So I don’t have a clear answer what I’ll give up, but I know what I will focus on, and I see some areas God is working on in me. Thank you for your honest post! Love in Christ
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your parents, Melody. Losing both parents in the same year must be incredibly difficult. I’m praying that God surrounds you with community right now and fills your life with real connection, even in the midst of the challenges of the pandemic.
I’m going to build my relationship with God by restricting my screen time. I love movies and series, most of my time is wasted on them and that has been a barrier to me growing spiritually and for God’s purpose to fully manifest in my life.
One of the fruits of the spirit is self-control and I sincerely want to cut this bad habit.
Wonderful idea, Prudence!
I’m giving up my mindless snacking and replacing it with scripture. Never done lent. Not sure this is the “right” way, but this is what’s on my heart.
Thank you for your blog/website.
The sacrifice of your time and talent to share with us.
I don’t think there is a right or a wrong way to go about it so it sounds like you’re on the right track to me! Thank you so much for your encouragement, Carrie. I appreciate it so much.
Becky, you never stop blessing me. Thank you for all you do and for who you are! This article is wonderful and I have passed it on to numerous friends. Blessings to you and your family. Hoping that little guy is sleeping for you!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Lily Ann! And thank you for sharing the article, as well. And he is! Noah is sleeping straight through the night most nights now. Such a blessing!
Thanks for this article. I have observed Lent in years past, but not recently. This year my goal is to go deeper and focus on the reason for sacrifice. Your thoughts are inspiring. Shalom!
You are so welcome, Betty, What a beautiful goal.
The members of our Bible study are joining our pastor doing the Daniel Fast. Our time together on Zoom is being spent in learning not just the “how’s”, but the “why’s” very much like what you described.
I love that! How neat.
My plan is to stop emotional eating, and turning to prayer instead.
Wonderful choice!
I am very excited about celebrating Lent. I am sixty four and I have been a Christ Follower since I was thirty seven. I never once went to a church that celebrated Lent. Good Friday and Easter, of course, but not Lent. I will be praying and reading this morning about exactly how I will celebrate it with my new church. I’ve been praying about it and thinking…but this morning, the first day of Lent, I will decide. A very timely letter/devotion. Thank you.
How wonderful! I hope you experience a new depth to your relationship with Christ this Lenten season, Dianne.