The Purpose of Lent!
Some of my 5th grade classmates asked me the question: “What was I going to give up for Lent?”. At home I could hardly wait to ask my dad, “What are you giving up for Lent?”. Without any hesitation he replied “watermelons”. I said, “But you don’t even like watermelons!” He responded, “You’re right I don’t. A long time ago I learned the purpose of Lent is to grow closer to God. I would rather focus on that.”
The older I get, the more I appreciate his response. Lent is a time to take a deep and probing inventory of our lives: our behaviors, our attitudes, our beliefs, our thoughts and our deeply held feelings. It is a time to examine how we treat ourselves (especially the “hidden” part that is different from the persona we present to others), and how we interact with others and God. Lent calls us to a time of reflection and entrusting our findings to God.
This year, Lent is different from any we have likely ever experienced. For the better part of a year, we have given up a great deal in the face of this pandemic: loved ones, times with family and friends, worship and fellowship, and more. Some have been forced to give up jobs. The list could easily go on. Perhaps this year for Lent we might try something different.
Let me suggest a new tradition for Lent (and beyond). What if we made a commitment to let something(s) go. After all the saying is, “Let go and Let God!” And the best way I know to let go of anything, is to offer it to God.
Each of us must take our own inventory - make our own list of things to let go of. Of course, before we can let go of anything, we must first acknowledge we are holding on to it. This is absolutely critical and essential. It is also what opens the door for us to experience grace, forgiveness, joy, freedom, new energy and more as we let go and humbly offer our finding(s) to God.
I offer the following as a list of tried and true areas that can lead to growing closer to God:
Emotional hurts (old and/or new); Fears(not being good enough, acceptable, situations, etc); Grudges, Bitterness, Resentments, Prejudices, Hatred, Judgements (of ourselves and/or others), Negative Emotions (those that bring stress and anxiety to our lives such as anger, frustration, unworthiness, shame, guilt, etc. - it is very important to remember before we can let go of negative emotions we must acknowledge and accept we have them); haunting and destructive memories; and bad habits.
A question for reflection that can help us discover these is: What part of me do I keep hidden from others (and maybe even myself)? The healing power of God’s grace is on the other side of our answer and acceptance of these.
I am convinced that it is when we intentionally let go, we grow closer to God. I hope you will experience the truth of this as well.
Grace and Peace, John