Lent is a preparation time, a 40 day period to get ourselves ready for the momentous events of Easter week. The actual period is closer to 46 days because Sundays are not considered part of the Lent season.
In popular conception Lent is a time of sacrifice, of giving up something, like a certain pleasure or food item. While this kind of discipline can be effective it is only one aspect of what Lent means.
What is truly effective is to choose to release old habitual ways of seeing and being and do a new thing. Changing our thinking has real power to change our lives and when that thinking is allied with a change in our feelings, words and actions, there is the opportunity for transformation.
We want to be physically, mentally and spiritually fit so we can clearly appreciate the tender, shocking and ultimately celebratory demonstration of Jesus at Easter time.
Jesus was ready for his final test and he invites us to be too.
Lean into Lent is a 40 day program to get ourselves into shape spiritually and physically. You are invited to choose one practice that you will faithfully follow for this 40 day period. We know that there is symbolic power to the number 40. It is indicative of the time it takes to effectively complete something and so we are saying I’m willing to do this work until fruition.
What are you committed to for the next 40 days, starting on Ash Wednesday, March 5th? No-one’s looking–it’s up to you. No-one’s judging–we are responsible for our own inner measurement. I, personally, want to be well and clear and open to the message of Easter and I’m going to eat and exercise accordingly.
Let’s journey forth together and see what transformative joy God has in store for us.
Blessings,
Paul