The Thing About Lent

“Don’t just give up chocolate for Lent.”

That was the mission statement for a Lenten devotional series in which I participated two years ago. The point of the devotionals was to focus not so much on “giving up” something, though that was not necessarily discouraged, but rather to focus on growing one’s faith during Lent.

According to “The History of Lent” published by The Catholic Register, Lenten practices have a long-developing history that is, according to the article, still evolving even at the present time. The article reports that some kind of practice of Lent has nearly always been associated with the church, however, in the second century St. Irenaeus became frustrated with the disparity in practice among various churches.

Some churches were reportedly fasting for only one day while others fasted for several days; still others fasted for only 40 hours, the amount of time that it was believed Jesus spent in the tomb prior to His resurrection.

Quite some time passed before the Council of Nicea assembled in 325 and addressed the issue, setting Easter on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the first day of spring. It is also believed that the 40 day Lenten season was established at that time.

Consensus among historians states that the 40 day observance of Lent is based on the time Jesus spent in the wilderness having withdrawn to fast and pray, thus the fasting that is associated with Lent. According to Britannica, the strict practice of fasting during Lent required for Roman Catholics was discontinued during World War II though; only Ash Wednesday and Good Friday were kept as fast days.

What I learned several years ago was that Lent is observed not only by Roman Catholics but by several Protestant denominations as well. Among those listed are Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, and Methodist.

Though the word “Lent” was not used at the time, I was attending an American Baptist church when we as a congregation began reading a book during the 40 days that comprised Lent.

The primary purpose of Lent is to prepare for the observance of Easter. As is the case with Advent, which is the time during which believers prepare for the birth of Jesus, I am glad to be part of a faith community that observes both of these times or reflection and preparation. Though I never knew it, I was missing a valuable part of my faith experience while in churches that opted out, and even condemned, these observances.

The Free Methodist church that I attend does not formally or explicitly dictate how we as members or attenders observe this period of time, but rather encourages us to do so in a variety of ways. Some leaders have shared Lent devotionals or ideas for getting more involved in community outreach. Opportunities are available to pray corporately and individually as well.

For quite some time, both while attending the American Baptist church and now the Free Methodist church, I have followed the ministry of Tim Keller, pastor and founder of the Redeemer Presbyterian Churches in New York City. It was probably five years ago that I purchased and read his daily Lenten devotional. I found it to be a very beneficial experience, though rather bleak initially, as he began with the dark period of human existence, separated from God by disobedience, required to make sacrifices for sins, wandering in the wilderness, and waiting for the prophesied Messiah.

The book then turned toward the bright hope that burst forth when Jesus came into the world. By the time I attended the service at MFMC on Easter Sunday, my mind and my soul were ready to celebrate the resurrection.

I’ve chosen to observe Lent in different ways over the past few years. I always seek a Lenten devotional, whether online or in print. I have returned to the Tim Keller devotional book as well. I have also chosen to pray for one person each day throughout the 40 days. I’ve dedicated more time to prayer in general during Lent at times. I have also attempted to keep a daily gratitude journal during the 40 days.

This year, I have found a Lenten devotional once again, and I have made some commitments as well. As I read an unrelated devotional this morning – one that’s not specific to Lent – I found the prayer that summed up my goals for this Lenten season: “May you find in Jesus the deepest needs of your life,” from a piece by Max Lucado. Thus, I have written specific steps to help me to accomplish that goal based on the things to which I have turned other than Jesus to fill the holes in my life made by career failures, absentee friends, and lost dreams in particular.

Even with its long-standing history and traditions passed on through the churches, the thing about Lent is that it seems that it should be very personal as well. Whether one chooses to observe Lent as closely to tradition as possible, or whether one chooses to lean more into the leading of the Spirit as to how to observe Lent, it can and should be a meaningful time in the life of a believer.

If you choose to observe Lent, I hope you have a meaningful experience that will lead to a blessed and beautiful Easter.