When I think about Lent, the first thing that comes to mind is Jesus. I know that's probably the "duh-statement" of the day, but it's the truth. Many of us know that the 40 days in Lent are representative of the 40 days and nights Jesus spent in the desert fasting and being tempted by the devil. For those of you who might not have known that, congratulations you learned something new today. Since Jesus suffered greatly during this time and denied himself many things, that's where we get these ideas of fasting and giving things up for this period of the year. Giving up things, in my opinion, has two different purposes. Number one, by denying ourselves things we really enjoy like chocolate, ice-cream, television, Facebook we start to be able to imagine how Jesus felt in the desert. While the first week or so might seem relatively easy, by week three or four the cravings can become intense and all you want to do is raid a candy store or just check Facebook for two minutes. I'll be honest with you all, besides one year when I gave up Facebook, I've never been able to keep a promise I've made for Lent. I have a hard time denying myself things for a long period of time! I know that' bad, but I am bound and determined to keep my promise this year. So, besides helping us feel a tiny bit how Jesus felt in the desert, this idea of giving something up during Lent sometimes can free up our time. I know when I gave up Facebook, I felt like I had so much more time to do other things! But, the one thing I didn't do with all this new found time is spend a little more time talking to God. I know that in my daily life, I didn't talk to God as much as I should have. I am thankful for this year in the sense that I have been given the gift of time. More time to spend with God, thinking about who I am, but I'm getting off the subject...oops.
So, the whole idea of Lent is a time for us to give up something to not only to get a little taste of how Jesus felt, but also to free a little extra time maybe in our schedules to spend with God and maybe figuring out some of these mysteries of life.
Lent is a time for us to reflect.
A time to reflect on our relationships with others.
A time to reflect on our relationship with God.
A time to reflect on our lives as a whole.
A time for us to really think about anything and everything. Time to think about the good, the bad and the ugly (not the movie, although Clint Eastwood is kind of amazing).
Lent is a time to refresh.
When we set time aside for ourselves, to just be still it is amazing how refreshed we really can feel. As hard as it is for many of us to set everything aside and just be, it is something I've come to find I cherish. Even if it is for twenty minutes, this is the time I use to just realize that whatever is weighing me down doesn't probably matter as much as my mind likes to make it seem.
Lent is a time of renewal.
When Jesus died on the cross (Good Friday) and rose again (Easter Sunday) he gave us new life. We all know this, they tell us this in church almost every Sunday, regardless of whether or not it is during Lent. Despite the fact that I know this, I don't think I have ever fully realized what this statement means. To be completely honest, I'm not sure I ever will be able to understand that. I don't see how I am worthy to receive such an amazing gift. We all receive new life because of the sacrifice Jesus made and as hard as it may be to understand why, I think I need to just be thankful for the gifts He has given me through his death on the cross.
So, through out these next 40 days or so, okay less than 40 at this point, I hope you take some time to reflect, get refreshed and renew yourself through the gifts that God has given us.
