Many Christians observe Lent over a 40-day period leading up to Easter. Typically, believers select something to fast during Lent as a way to grow closer to God. In addition to fasting, most engage in more intentional daily prayers and giving and spend time meditating on God’s mercy and grace.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts until Holy Thursday. Christians engage in this 40-day fast because Jesus modeled this practice when he spent 40 days fasting in the desert before beginning his public ministry. Jesus pulled away to focus his mind, soul, and body on his Father before stepping out to reveal his identity as the Son of God to the world. Christians set aside a similar annual 40-day period to more intentionally focus our minds, bodies, and souls on God and all he has done for us.
Lent is an opportunity to be intentional about choosing which habits we want to break and which ones we want to create. In the time leading up to Lent, we should reflect on what the Spirit is leading us to change. Are there indulgences that we regularly allow ourselves that are distracting us from our faith? Do we need to start doing something new to allow us more space for righteous living?
Lent Is an Invitation to Engage in a Holy Pause
Lent is an invitation to reflect on what matters most in our daily lives. We often pick up habits and make routines based on necessity, not because of well-thought-out plans. Engaging in a holy pause allows us to see things more clearly. To eliminate practices that are holding us back. We need to think more clearly about who we are becoming and how our daily practices are sowing into either our growth or if we are remaining stagnant. Romans 12:2 says,
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Lent is a special season in which we can test and discern if our big and small habits align with God's sound and acceptable will. Making strategic choices about what we fast and how we pray over Lent is how we can make the most of this change in our routines. If we are thoughtful about our commitments in this season, we are much more likely to stick to the new habits we are forming past the 40-day commitment we are making.
Lent Is a Community Event
To change habits, we need to be held accountable! This applies to everything from our ability to stick to a new diet plan, meet a workout goal, break free from substance dependency, or better control our emotions. Change is just plain hard, and if we want to consistently take those baby steps toward a new pattern, encouragement, and community are helpful. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says,
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
Lent is observed alongside other believers. We together commit to a season of holy reflection and fasting. This togetherness makes Lent a beautiful opportunity to make tough commitments toward change because your faith community is ready and willing to walk right alongside you as you practice a new daily rhythm. When it feels hard, you can share your burden, and your faith community can encourage you on your journey.
Lent Prompts Changes for the Glory of God
Unlike the infamous New Year's Resolutions that mostly fail, Lent is distinct in that rather than changing for you, the changes you are making are for the glory of God! For 40 days, we practice diligence in our prayer life because we desire to know God better. We give up alcohol, which was a misplaced salve for our stressors, because we want to learn to lean on the Holy Spirit for comfort. The decision to walk daily for better mental health is not just for us but so that we can honor God by making a mental space that allows us to live with the fruits of the spirit.
The ‘why’ for our commitments matters when it comes to remaining faithful to the change we want to see in our lives. Selfish desire for glory and success often leads us to failure because our primal desires tend to overwhelm our limited willpower. But when we add the power of the Holy Spirit to our endeavors, we are given strength beyond our limited power. Change is still tricky, but it’s possible when God is with us! Matthew 19:26 says,
“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Jesus invites us to rely on him for the change we want in our lives. We are limited in strength, but he is strong. As believers, we have access to this miracle-working power whenever we need it. As you commit to Lent and work towards changes that will draw you closer to God, remember you do this not by your own strength but by his.
Lent Is a Chance to Practice New Habits
Forty days is enough time to practice doing something new to form new pathways in your brain for that change to stick. While there is no one-size-fits-all time frame for habit formation, it is believed that we can begin to make new patterns in our lives in as little as 18 days. Lent is a really excellent jump start to seeing the start of real change in our lives!
While we begin the 40-day period seeing this as our goal, we don’t need to view the end of Lent as a finish line for things we hope to maintain in our lives. Instead, the 40-day mark is a celebration that we have begun something new in our stories! Let the momentum you have committed to making propel you toward the habits you desire to solidify in your life. Philippians 1:6 says,
“Being confident of this very thing, that He who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the Day of Jesus Christ.”
Have faith that the good work you are partnering with God to complete in your life will be brought to completion. He desires you to experience his goodness here in the land of the living. God is on your side, and with him, you can do the things that may have felt daunting in different seasons of your life without his help.
Photo Credit: Joshua Earle/Unsplash
