Lenten Thoughts

Wiki Lent Info
Lent 101 by the Upper Room
Lent by About Religion

Ash Wednesday, Madi Gras, Lent, Holy Week, and the Passion of Christ are in the news and on some people's mind these days. Over the  years I have had some open and lively conversations and discussions with friends, family members, colleagues and church members, anti-church people and anti-religion people about Lent. I have even been asked if I participate and others have shared with me how they plan to participate. I am not much of a Lent person and yet I am all about Lent as we allow Christ to live in us and through us in the power of the Holy Spirit.

So I must say, I think lent is a little ridiculous. Actually, I think it is absolutely preposterous. Yes, I am aware that this is "out there" for some and may cause your heart to stir and may even lead you to become a little bothered, upset, or even a little angry. Good. Now that the blood is pumping and the mind is stirred please read on.

This blog is about hope so I must explain myself a bit. It seems Lent was started with good intent and yet "the drift factor" has occurred. Lent seems to have been a time for people to draw near to God and dwell on God and His love, sacrifice and power as Easter Sunday approached. The conversations and discussions I have been involved in are about giving up Coke, electronic devices, chocolate or even a fav TV program or other trite aspects of life during the 40 or 40+ days of Lent. As the"The drift" factor has taken place it seems Lent has become about me - The focus in the local Church again has been shifted and "I and me" become the center, and therefore, I do not care for Lent. Wait, I do like Lent if we as followers of the Way would seek to live it daily. I do understand and get and have practiced the whole 40 day concept found throughout God's Word and I do believe that there are times in a follower of the Way life that fasting, a renewal, and a rediscovery of True North is needed. I just am not sure if Lent these days is about that. The Lenten practice of giving up Coke, electronic devices, a TV show or even a favorite candy bar, cussing, blah, blah, blah blah blah concerns me but Lent in the sense that we draw near to God, dwell on and seek to walk in God's love, sacrifice, grace, holiness, and power on a daily basis as we follow Jesus Christ, now that is.. Christianity. I mean I visit with people who are sporadic in their worship attendance, Group Life, Scripture Reading, give very little, have never offered to take a new church member to lunch because they are so focused on their friends, their time, their seat in worship, their schedule, their finances that they do not even know the church family that has helped them in many ways has new people, WOW, that is mind boggling and yet so true. Dear God, help me and us.  Dear God, forgive me and now empower me. Father in Heaven, Use me like crazy for Your Kingdom.

Lent is a seasonal practice for Christians yet it needs to be a daily expression for all followers of Jesus Christ. I do know a handful of followers who practice Lent in its full intent during the season, but I also know that they practice Lent in it's intent all of the time in all of their life. They have come to grasp Galatians 2:20.So they are Lented followers (in it's full intent) all of the time. I mean they fast, pray, give, serve, read Scripture, love people, struggle with God, love God, converse with God, are Kingdom oriented and seek to live in Christ 23.5/6.3 (No one is perfect). Think, you will get it. LOL.

So I say, "forget Lent, the season." Enjoy your Coke, enjoy your candy bar, enjoy the TV show, use the electronic device in Christ. "In Christ", if not in Christ then move away from these things. I mean, I like my Dr Pepper, but if I drink the Dr. as much as I would like to there would be so much more of me (weight) than there should be. Catch the meaning. It's not just about health by the way, it's about "In Christ" which is "For Christ" which is "About Christ" which is "Of Christ". The early Church had a mantra long before Lent came along, "Jesus Christ is Lord." They got Lent without Lent, because they walked in the power of God and gave themselves fully to God.

So let's get the lint out of our pockets, purses, pillow cases, dryer vents and socks and get the Lent out of our lives so the Christ of Lent, the Christ of hope can increase in our lives and we can then experience His power in and through us which will bring others to Him. After all, Lent is about focusing on God and when we really do that we will desire to be disciple making followers of the Lord of Lent.