03 Mar What is Lent?
Want to give up something for Lent? Want to deny your flesh and fast and pray? Of course you don’t? It’s not natural to want to do those things. That’s why, if you do practice the Lenten discipline of fasting, you most likely give up wine and sweets. Seems hard, but if we’re being honest, it’s kind of the easiest way out. Every year I ask John if he’s willing to give up TV for 40 days during Lent (I actually did that years ago and it had an amazing impact on me). He always looks at me like I have 3 heads and says, “But it’s March Madness!”
Ok, so…what’s up with Lent?
“Lent is the 40 days (not including Sundays) from Ash Wednesday to the Saturday before Easter, also known as Resurrection Sunday” (Cru.org). These 40 days are often used as a time of preparation— a time for honest reflection on where we are in our walk of faith; for examining our hearts before the Lord; and to fast in some way, and to pray—to clear away the distractions, the clutter, and the indulgences in our lives in order go deeper with God.
Why do I need to give something up?
The word Lent comes from a Latin word (Quadragesima) that means forty. The 40 days of Lent are symbolic of the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert in preparation for his work on earth to begin—and where he was tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, and Luke 4:1-13). Lent is a beautiful season that prepares our hearts and minds to remember all that God accomplished for us through Christ’s sacrifice on Good Friday and the celebration of his resurrection on Easter.
In 2015 I came across a blog post by a Lutheran Pastor in New Jersey named Phil Ressler titled Forty Things to Give up for Lent and Beyond. The blog went viral on Facebook to the point it crashed the church’s website. Having practiced Lent for decades, I was familiar with fasting. But Pastor Phil’s list (see below) was not your typical Lenten fast. It was a game changer; it went deep, with topics that probed and prodded me, getting to the heart of the matter… which is always a matter of the heart. It had a profound impact on my life back then—and beyond.
For years I’ve revisited this devotional study, and I’m doing so again this Lenten season. I need it—I need the kind of fasting that denies my flesh on a deep level, and shifts my heart back to the proper place, and gives me the proper estimation of myself so that I can see Jesus more clearly.
I want to invite you to join me. But be warned—this won’t be an easy Lenten experience. This is a fast, a giving up, of things we don’t typically think of. And while it may not leave your stomach growling, your flesh will. But it’s the kind of self-reflection and examination we all need.
So, if you’re game, let me know! You can follow online: the daily topics (below) are hyperlinked to the full devotional study for that day. Or you can order the book on Amazon, Forty Things to Give up for Lent and Beyond and you’ll have it by tomorrow.
40 Thing to Give Up for Lent by Phil Ressler
- Fear of Failure – You don’t succeed without experiencing failure. Just make sure you fail forward.
- Your Comfort Zone – It’s outside our comfort zones where new discoveries are made.
- Feelings of Unworthiness – You are fearfully and wonderfully made by your creator (see Psalm 139:14).
- Impatience – God’s timing is the perfect timing.
- Retirement – As long as you are still breathing, you are here for a reason. You have a purpose to influence others for Christ. Our work is not always tied to a paycheck.
- People Pleasing – I can’t please everyone anyways. There is only one I need to strive to please.
- Comparison – I have my own unique contribution to make and there is no one else like me.
- Blame – I am not going to pass the buck. I will take responsibility for my actions.
- Guilt – I am loved by Jesus and he has forgiven my sins. Today is a new day and the past is behind.
- Overcommitment – Do less better and accomplish more.
- Lack of Counsel – Wise decisions are rarely made in a vacuum.
- Impurity – Live lives pure and without blemish.
- Entitlement – The world does not owe me anything. God does not owe me anything. I live in humility and grace.
- Apathy – Life is too short not to care.
- Hatred – Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).
- Negativity – I will put the best construction on everything when it comes to other people. I will also minimize my contact with people who are negative and toxic.
- The Spirit of Poverty – Believe that with God there is always more than enough and never a lack.
- Going Through the Motions – The more you invest yourself, the more you will get back.
- Complaint – Instead of contributing to the problem, be the solution.
- The Pursuit of Happiness – God wants something greater and more lasting than happiness. It is called joy.
- Bitterness – The only person I am hurting by holding on to this is myself.
- Distraction – Life is filled with distractions that will take our eyes off the prize.
- Giving up – God never gives up on us.
- Mediocrity – If you are going to do something, then give it all you got.
- Destructive Speech – Encourage one another and all the more as you see the day approaching (see Hebrews 10:25).
- Busyness – It is a badge of honor to be busy. But that does not always translate to abundance.
- Loneliness – With Jesus I am never alone. He is with me wherever I go.
- Disunity – If two of you agree on earth about anything, it will be done for them by the Heavenly Father (see Matthew 18:19).
- The Quick Fix – Rarely does true transformation happen overnight.
- Worry – God is in control and worrying will not help.
- Idolizing – Don’t assign anyone a standard they cannot live up to.
- Resistance to Change – Change is certain. It is not if we will change, but how we will change.
- Pride – Blessed are the humble.
- Small View of God – Don’t tell God how big your problem is, tell your problem how big your God is.
- Envy – I am blessed. My value is not found in my possessions, but in my relationship with my Heavenly Father.
- Ungratefulness – You have been blessed in a way greater than you realize.
- Selfish Ambition – God has a mission for me that is bigger than me.
- Self-Sufficiency – Jesus is my strength. I can do all things through him (see Philippians 4:13).
- Sorrow – Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5b).
- My Life – Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life (John 12:25).
Something to Think About
Take a look at the following Scriptures and consider the things Satan tempted Jesus with: Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, and Luke 4:1-13.
Now consider 1 John 2:16, For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
I think we can all agree that our flesh is prone to wander away from Jesus by the lure of the world– by what we see and think and feel. What kinds of things most challenge you, tempt your flesh, and distract you from Jesus? Use that question to start reflecting in preparation for the 40 days of Lent. Take your list and your heart to the Lord, and let Him—who began a good work in you—take you deeper still with Him.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Psalm 139:23-24
One More Thing
Want to know more about Lent? Here’s an excellent article put out by CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ) that answers questions you just might have: What is Lent All About, and Why is it Important?
Until next week— don’t forget that you are greatly and dearly loved by The King! And let’s live our beautiful, ordinary lives like women who believe it!
I love you,
xo – P♥️