An Invitation to an Unhurried Lent

Finding Grace in Lent

The practice of Lent has become a place of grace for me over the last number of years. While some feel that Lent is a failure to recognize that our salvation is rooted in grace, Lent isn’t about earning favor. It’s actually about recognizing the habits in our lives that keep us from the free grace God is always offering. Lent makes space for the reception of grace.

One biblical narrative that informs Lent for many Christians is Jesus spending forty days in the wilderness right after his baptism. During this time, Jesus fasted, prayed and was tempted. Early Christians from the fourth century on took this as a model to follow. They went to the desert to fast and to wrestle with their demons.

So, some practice of fasting is traditionally a key element of observing Lent. Usually, fasting involves giving up a certain kind of food (like meat, fats, dairy or such). Some give up desserts or alcohol during Lent.

Others give up something like social media, television or checking email in the evenings and such. In place of those activities, we seek to be attentive to God. Perhaps we read the Scriptures or meaningful spiritual writings. Perhaps we have important conversations with family or friends.  

Saying “No” to say “Yes”

I like to say that Lent is about saying a little “no” for a while so that we can say a bigger, heartier “yes” to God. Our “noes” can have a way of focusing us and making us more aware and attentive to God with us.

Every time we feel the urge to do what we’ve said we wouldn’t do during Lent, that becomes a moment for prayer, again offering ourselves to the guiding and providing presence of God, for settling back into an abiding posture with God.

In some denominations, this way of thinking about Lent is very familiar. Maybe you preached on this very point during your Ash Wednesday service. But for some congregations, it may be a new idea, even revolutionary, when stripped of suspicion that it is somehow about “earning grace.” And beyond how we preach, how well do we internalize the heart of Lent and prayerfully say “no” to busyness and distractions so that we say “yes” more heartily ourselves?

For Reflection

As you think ahead to the beginning of Lent in about a month, what little “no” do you feel led to offer God so that you might say a heartier “yes” to him?

Originally published on Alan Fadling’s Unhurried Living blog on Feb 05, 2019. Edited for reposting on TPW. Shared with permission.