Forty Days of Lent
by Denise Morris on 02/06/2008 at 12:59 PM
Today is Ash Wednesday and the first day of Lent. As a non-denominational Evangelical, I didn't grow up observing the tradition, but I do find it interesting.
Lent is not a biblical tradition, but it came about to observe the 40 days before Easter -- a way to commemorate, prepare for and remember the event. I don't think it's necessary for us to do this, but I do think it's a useful way to remember what Jesus did for us -- what He must have felt as He knew His time was growing closer.
And, as Lauren Winner puts it in one of her articles, the first day of Lent is a small form of evangelism for some people. With a cross of ashes on your forehead, it's kind of hard to deny Whom you're affiliated with.
Lent is not something I feel bound to observe, but it is something I want to do this year. Over and over and over again, the God of the Bible tells His people to remember. To write His words on our hearts, to celebrate feasts to commemorate what He has done. And as Easter approaches, fasting from something is a very small way to sacrifice, to remember whenever we have a craving, that Jesus sacrificed so much for us.
I am planning to give up Facebook for the next month. Honestly (sadly?), it will be difficult. But perhaps I will spend more time working on my Scripture memorization instead of stalking my friends for the next forty days.
And maybe, by "being hungry" for something, I will be fed a truth that is much more satisfying -- which is what God has wanted for His people all along.
1. Christina said the following at 1:06 PM on Feb 6
I grew up observing this and Lent and Advent have always been my favorite ecclesiastical seasons. There's something about it - preparation for the coming of Christ. Like you said, the bible tells us to remember and to be ever mindful. The Passover was observed simply so the people would stop and REMEMBER.
After 40 days of abstinence in whatever you choose to abstain from so that you can focus on God, the cross being covered in purple, acolytes wearing black, no flowers on the altar, and no alleluia's, it brings home the true wonder and beauty of an Easter or Christmas morning. It doesn't feel the same when I don't observe it for what it is - a time of preparation for Christ's 2nd coming :)
2. Elizabeth said the following at 1:19 PM on Feb 6
Like you, Denise, I didn't grow up observing Lent. My first Ash Wednesday service was as a sophomore or junior in college, but I found it incredibly meaningful. (It was surprising, too, to have Ash Wednesday services at my evangelical college, but I am so glad I got to learn about this part of the Church year.)
I recently came across this post that contained a good perspective on the Church year: http://www.worldview.org/blog/?p=198#more-198
Tonight is my church's Ash Wednesday service and I look forward to starting this season to prepare our hearts for Easter.
3. Laura said the following at 1:31 PM on Feb 6
Thanks for this, Denise. I didn't grow up at a church that practiced Lent, but have found it to be a very valuable spiritual discipline in my own walk with God.
As we read the Book of Common Prayer service for Ash Wednesday at church today, we were reminded that Lent isn't just about reflecting on sacrifice and on the dust from which we come and to which we will return: historically, the church also made it a time for restoring to membership those who had been broken from church fellowship due to egregious sins but who had repented and done penitance. In this way, Lent is not just a time of making sacrifices; it's also a reminder of the redemption and restoration that is ours in Christ.
4. kaj said the following at 1:31 PM on Feb 6
For Lent, I'm putting "online dating" and chocolate on hold for these 40 days.
I spend way too much time browsing profiles and seeing who might be interested in me.
My denomination does not make Lent mandatory, let alone pay much attention to it, but I see this as an opportunity for spiritual renewal.
As for chocolate...great time to give it up with a friend's wedding reception coming up this weekend! I'll survive.
5. Laura_MH said the following at 1:32 PM on Feb 6
The Methodist church I attend has three Ash Wednesday services today. I look forward to attending tonight's service after I leave work.
I'm giving up junk food this year. I'm already challenged...my co-worker's candy jar with Necco Valentine's Day hearts is just waiting to be plundered! But I *will* be strong!
6. Michela said the following at 1:49 PM on Feb 6
I gave up Facebook for a week about a year ago. I felt like it was starting to control me- I would be happy when I got comments or messages but then disappointed when there were none. And it's amazing how time can fly by when you're on Facebook...
And surprisingly, letting it go for a while gave me such a feeling of freedom! And it reminded me to depend on God for my self-worth, and not some silly comments. =)
Hm, maybe I need to try that again soon!
7. Reid said the following at 3:49 PM on Feb 6
If we're discussing unbiblical fasting practices, Ramadan has to be right up near the top in terms of challenge (I watched "American Ramadan" on PBS a while ago). No eating during daylight hours for a month.
8. Jill said the following at 4:24 PM on Feb 6
Although God does tell us in the Bible to commemorate some things, "Lent" is not one of them. It actually has its origins in an ancient Egyption 40 day fast. But regardless of its origins, I can see a danger in participating in the tradition. I'm afraid that our already exagerated idea of ourselves can easily be distracted away from the all-sufficiency of the cross. We start to think, "I'm a good guy, I'll give this up." Forgeting that nothing is ours to give up in the first place. We must recognize that His death is our death, that we are to be a daily, living sacrifice. Let us always be in awe of His unmatched grace.
9. Rachel said the following at 4:52 PM on Feb 6
I just wanted to put in a shameless plug for an opportunity that came my way this Lent: 40 days for life. It's a peaceful vigil of prayer and fasting that is being carried out during Lent in 59 cities in more than 30 states and is devoted to praying to end abortion. It's not a protest, it's not a picket. It's prayer. At the clinic where I am signing up participants and praying, I am also lifting up the doctors and staff, for their salvation, the women having abortions and the women who are post-abortive. Though i don't generally "give something up" during Lent, I recently heard it described as giving up something that separates you from God, not just "chocolate." If you're interested in seeing if your city has a Vigil going on, check out www.40daysforlife.com. God Bless!
10. Tami said the following at 5:29 PM on Feb 6
Darn it, I'm giving up blogs this year, but I saw this post featured on the Boundless homepage and had to comment! Thanks, Denise. :)
Lent is not part of my tradition. And while I'd never encourage someone to observe it "just because," I have seen good things come of it.
At the encouragement of a friend, I first observed Lent two years ago. I participated by giving up some financial things and doing daily reading in books on discipleship and the spiritual disciplines (and of course, meditating on the Word -- I was in an intense systematic study of Genesis that year, which practically forced me to focus on the concept of walking with God, right alongside Abraham... and of course his near-sacrifice of Isaac and its obvious parallels to Christ). Praise God, I saw great spiritual growth as a result. And, much like Christina's experience of joy, I woke up Easter Sunday to one of the most beautiful Easter sermons I've ever heard, given by the late James Boice on "The Bible Study Hour," on John 20 and Mary's arrival at the tomb.
However, I credit the fruitfulness of that time more to being particularly attentive to Christ and His leading, rather than merely "observing Lent". I will say, however, that having this defined period of time, which looks forward to the Cross and resurrection and is near spring (and therefore suggestive of "renewal") is a particularly helpful aid to focus.
This year, I am VERY conscious of things that God wants to "uproot," and that by His grace He wants to bring new things to life. This season is a good opportunity to be purposeful and intentional in this process of surrender, sacrifice, and growth.
And Jill, I agree that the observance itself is "extrabiblical", and that it could get legalistic or empty. But the point of Lent, if done with an eye towards Christ, is precisely what your post encourages us towards: getting our eyes off of ourselves and the human and material things we lean on, and fixing our vision on Christ and His Cross. And we *should* have this mindset of humility, submission, and self-sacrifice all year. (There are, however, Biblical precedents for 40-day fasts; our Lord Himself observed one.)
[OK, with that long post... bye for 40 days!!!]
11. Cassandra said the following at 5:30 PM on Feb 6
I too am going to observe Lent this year. I have felt the nudging of the Holy Spirit over the last several days to make an act of sacrifice in honor of God -- as a way of focusing on Him. Lent seems a good time to do it. This post is yet another example of the Holy Spirit's nudging for me.
As a non-denominational evangelical, I had never seriously entertained observing Lent. But this year, so many things have come together that I know I need a period of fasting to help me focus on God. In researching Lent today I read (on Wikipedia) that the tradition actually asks participants to: (1) abstain from something (fast), (2) add a Spiritual disclipline, and (3) give back to the poor or needy. It's not just giving up a vice, it's much more.
I'm going to abstain from chocolate. (I know that's cliche, but believe me when I tell you it will be a true sacrifice.) I am going to take the money I would have spent on candy bars and donate it to my church's ministry fund ($5 per week). And I am going to add Bible reading (or in my case pod-cast listening) to my schedule. The point? Fast from something that I am using in place of God, listen directly to His Word, and with a giving heart support His Kingdom.
The concept of Lent is such a wonderful idea, I think it is something we (as evangelicals) need to embrace more often.
12. Meghan de Haan said the following at 5:30 PM on Feb 6
In response to Michela's comment: Your words totally convicted me! You are right on and have definitely given me something to think about... Thanks so much!
13. Jessica said the following at 5:40 PM on Feb 6
It's true that nothing is mine to give up, but in that case I'm only giving back to God the things that I have often used and sometimes abused over the past year--my time, my relationships, my dietary habits, my money. Lent is based on Jesus' 40 day fast. As someone who is converting to a denomnation where Lent is observed, I find it very helpful to follow Jesus' example for an extended period of time, leading up to his ultimate sacrifice.
14. Don said the following at 5:40 PM on Feb 6
I think that lent is a great time to remember the sacrifice that Christ made for us on the cross. When, or if, we give something up, it should be something that we value, a sacrifice that has meaning to us. Also, I think that if you're going to sacrifice something, you should replace it with something to help you grow in your walk with God.
Last year I gave up comic books, think what you will, and I gave the money I would have spent to my church instead. Giving up facebook might be a good amount of time to dedicate to Bible study and prayer.
15. KendraW said the following at 5:43 PM on Feb 6
I grew up observing Lent in the Presbyterian and Methodist churches but with the understanding that it was a period to prepare us for the sacrifice made on the Cross by Jesus. So we could give something up (food, internet usage, etc) or take something on (Bible study, service projects, etc) to remind us that as Jesus gave up his life he took on the punishment for our sins. It was never about what we could or could not do or what we could give up or not but rather it served as a reminder of the sacrifices our Savior made for us.
I attended my church's 7 am Ash Wednesday service this morning and it was so beautiful and refreshing. Setting aside the fact that I had to wake up at 5:45 and have since been running around at grad school all day the service washed my soul and made me feel so alive and blessed. The service was simply amazing and made me feel grateful to have the opportunity to join with like minded believers and worship my Lord as we enter into the season of his death and resurrection.
16. Lynne said the following at 10:03 PM on Feb 6
I grew up in a denomination that did not observe lent, and didn't really understand it or observe it until I attended an Episcopal church while at graduate school. I had trouble connecting a small, or even large, sacrifice on my part with the enormity of Christ's sacrifice.
A friend (wife of the priest) put it this way:
When we experience the longing of our sacrifice during the Lenten season, we are reminded of the earthly substitutes we use to satiate that longing we have for Christ and His kingdom.
For me, this let me focus on Lent as a time of removing some of my earthly attachments (to use Gerald May's word) that are poor substitutes for relational intimacy with God.
17. Emma said the following at 11:55 AM on Feb 7
Those are some great thoughts, Denise. I grew up non-denominational evangelical as well, but the Church I'm part of now is based on the liturgical year.
Yesterday was my first time observing Ash Wednesday, and the fasting served as a reminder of the need for self-denial. I was most surprised at how much I felt my own mortality and need for repentance at the instant when the priest drew the ash cross on my forehead and said in a solemn voice, "remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
I see lent as a time to grow closer to God through sacrifice and prayer, and to come to a deeper understanding of the meaning of the Easter season.
18. Alison said the following at 2:10 AM on Feb 8
Lent is one of the things I miss about my non-denominational church. So on Ash Wednesday, I woke up before 5 a.m., and went to an early Communion service, and had the ashes imposed on my head. It was a blessing, as was the intentional solitude of that day.
I thought as I sat on the train on my way home about Jesus, and how He emptied Himself (Paul's marvelous term in Philippians 2) to take on the sacrifice of the Cross. I'm amazed when I think of it--how He left the glory of heaven to come down to this troubled earth and give Himself up for all of us. Thus, Lent for me this year is becoming a season of examining the places where I try to fill myself up with anything less than Him, and emptying myself of those falsehoods, and even of the good that I have, so that He can fill me in due time.