Lent was a religious tradition that I was forced upon in childhood. Ash Wednesday is most vividly remembered because we all had crushed black ash on our head and we were supposed to be deep in thought about.....something????? Um, but what? Back then I had no idea.
A few years ago, one of my sisters decided to 'give something up' during Lent. It got me thinking. What is this supposed to be all about? Now that I am a Christ follower and not just a Catholic religious bobble-head, I liked the idea, not for religious purposes. But to focus on giving something up (fasting), being more prayerful, more giving, and preparing for Easter.
Time is all we've got really and we never know when ours is going to run out. This season of Lent is a period of time - 46 days to be exact - 46 days to prepare heart and mind for another year of walking in His steps. To focus on fasting, prayer, giving and in preparation for one of the highlights in all Human history. I believe now that if you come in expectation, excitement, anticipation that God will lift you into His purposes more fully, it will happen!
Recently, I've been trying to eat healthier and in that quest, I've realized one thing. If I don't prepare, it doesn't happen. When I've prepared foods, I eat much better. So it is with Lent.
So here I am 5 days before Ash Wednesday, preparing for Lent. I'm prepared for Lent to be different than anything I've expected before. There's an expectation in my heart that in these 46 days my heart, mind, body and soul will grow closer to the Lord and find new faith, life and grace waiting each day. These days aren't necessarily more divine than any other, but they lead up to the most divine day of the year that a Christian celebrates. I want Christ resurrected in my heart this season. That I would connect with all that He's given to make my life now, as I know it, a reality. His sacrifice. His glory. The expectations of His coming again.
So how do we prepare for Lent?
First, make the choice. Choose to fully embrace what these days can mean. A time and season to grow closer to the heart of God, to find special grace in your time of need. A time to shed away things that we have been allowed to remain much too long and hinder our hearts. A time to ask God for that greater desire to grow in Him this year. If we come to the season anticipating God to move and fully envision that He will, it will happen!
So here's some good questions.
1) What does God want to give me this year in my walk with Him?
2) What will I give up (fast, abstain from) on Ash Wednesday?
3) What will I give up (fast, abstain from) during Lent?
We know God wants to give us more spiritually than we could ever imagine. His word is racked full of examples. But we must be looking, anticipating, expecting. When we clear out - give up, abstain from, fast - things that require our time, attention, energy and love - God can fill in those places with His times, His attentions, His energy and His love.
I'm so ready for this!
