Why lent

Confronted by our humanity, our imperfections, and our brokenness, we cast our gaze on the one who took on our humanity, loved us even with our imperfections, and longs for us to be whole.

A curious thing happens when we honestly look within, release control, and confess our dependence. Instead of losing power, we open ourselves to new strength. We empty ourselves of self-delusion and self-satisfaction, and we are filled with new identity, our identity in Christ, and the journey of Lent commences.

For centuries, the weeks of Lent were used catechetically for those desiring to be baptized and follow Jesus. The basics of the Christian faith were taught and experienced, leading the new follower to be baptized during the Easter Vigil the worship service on the Saturday evening of Holy Week. Light would penetrate darkness.

For anything new or novel to come from our minds, our lives, we must press in at times and then back off at other times. In the pressing in, we dive deeply into the heart of the creative process. In backing off, we create space for, as some may say, the muse, or we would say the Spirit, to enter.

Both are necessary for something new or novel to emerge from our lives. Maybe we need to consider Lent as one of those seasons of intentionally pressing in. Culturally, we are distracted by many things.

How much is a lightsaber worth? Gerrard announced as new Villa manager - is it a good move? Home Menu. Lent What is Lent and why do people give things up? Getty Images. What is Lent? Perhaps you may want to try and give up checking social media for the next 40 days? Palm crosses, like these ones, are burned to make ash, which can be used in Ash Wednesday services.

Why do people give things up until Easter Sunday? This pictures shows Jesus in the desert being tempted by Satan. More like this. Forty days to remember that what comes after all the waiting is heaven. Repentance means becoming realistic about who we are. Like most Millennials, I love taking personality tests, analyzing my spiritual gifts, finding my strengths, and reckoning the hue of my [insert random-kitschy-noun here—parachute?

On the campus where I minister, with its dense population, you get a lot of second-takes from people without crosses, and a sense of silent solidarity with people who are also choosing to display their repentance. Those ashy crosses dotting faces are beautiful. I find the spiritual air on earth during Lent to be particularly invigorating. In these forty days, millions of people are fasting to make room for Jesus.

The global Church is taking a collective deep breath, making room in its lungs for the long-haul. So many people suffer. Even in church, we still largely celebrate the shiny sides of people—their gifts, their passions, their victories and answered prayers.

We all want to live bright lives, and Holy Spirit makes us light up all right. But we all suffer, many of us horribly so, much of the time. We have chronic fatigue syndrome that makes it almost impossible for us to be productive. Our second husband has left us and, while we know God loves us, we often feel that there is no love for us left in the world.