It’s Lent. I want to honor You in this special season, Jesus, but I’m just not sure what to do.
Lots of people fast, but You have me in a different place right now. It’s just not my season for fasting. If I did that, it would be for the sake of pleasing others, not for You (Matthew 6:16). I really don’t want to go there.
Maybe I could give up something else. But is that what You’re asking of me? If I forego something for Lent, I would be playing right into that tendency I have to perform. It feels like I’d be trying to do something to win Your approval.
But I already have that approval—and so much more! I’m already loved beyond measure. I’m already completely clean. You’ve made me whole and holy. I’m a new creation! Lent will culminate with remembering Your sacrifice on the cross, and that sacrifice took care of everything. “It is finished!” (John 19:30) Your work is complete! No, I don’t think that’s what You’re asking of me this time.
So how can You and I observe this Lenten season together, Jesus? What would You have me do—if anything?
I just read that “Lent” comes from the Old English word for “length,” referring to our lengthening daylight hours in the spring. I would be more than happy to celebrate spring with You; it’s my favorite season! I will rejoice in the days as they grow longer! More sunlight means more delight as far as I’m concerned! As Your creation moves from winter’s black-and-white landscape to spring’s explosions of color, my own soul will be refreshed and renewed.
Celebrating a spiritual springtime in my soul together with You would be lovely. Rejoicing in Your nearness. Delighting in all You’ve accomplished for us. Leaning into You more than ever. “Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom, one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.” John 13:23 (Webster’s Bible Translation)
That’s it! Leaning into Lent means leaning into You!
I can spend this holy season looking to lean into You at every turn. And who knows? Maybe as I lean, I’ll end up fasting or denying myself in some other way. But it will be a choice made with holy motivations, coming from this place of intimately leaning into You.
Lent
Vernal emergence
Leaning, reclining, trusting
Intimacy blossoming in Trinity’s Sonlight
Renewal
PRAYER: Lord, as I enter this holy season of Lent, help me hear Your voice and know how You’d like to observe Lent together with me. As our days lengthen throughout spring, may I find myself leaning into You every moment, from the mundane tasks to the times of crisis, from the upheaval of uncertainty to the joyful celebrations, from the valley of sorrow to the heights of delight. Always leaning. Amen.
~ Kathryn Kircher
Photo: Christ and Saint John the Evangelist,
https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57233
