We’re back in the season of Lent, that time of somber reflection, prayer, repentance, and fasting. For many of us, it wasn’t something we grew up with but has grown to become a very meaningful season of reflection and devotion.
For me, Lent has come to represent discipline. Fasting and devoted prayer does not come easily for me (as I’d imagine is true for most people). It requires a great deal of self-discipline, which means I am deeply reliant on God for the strength to break out of my well worn life grooves. My prayer life becomes more of a constant conversation in which I ask God for help and try to rest in His presence.
After this first day of giving up certain things to make space in my life for more of God, I’ve realized a few things:
1. Comfort is one of my idols. I really don’t like to be uncomfortable in any way. I feel the slightest hunger pang and I rush to eat, rather than letting that pang lead me to pray for those who are feeling that way and don’t have easy access to food. I feel the first signs of a caffeine headache because I went a day without coffee and I hurriedly seek out ibuprofen, not wanting to experience any sort of discomfort. There are many things that I regularly turn to for comfort, none of which serve to draw me closer to God.
2. I’m a bit more like my toddler than I’d care to admit. My son, who is almost two, is battling against his impulses these days. My husband and I are almost constantly reminding him to walk in the house. He will say, “No run,” when asked what the rule is, then turn around and start running. As exasperating as that can be– and I know this phase of instruction is just beginning– I found the same impulse in myself alive and active today. As soon as I declared I was going to stay away from certain things, the impulse to eat/drink/use them arose. Repeatedly. My self-talk today was a lot like my mommy voice.
3. Lent is a time to embrace childlikeness. As I’m realizing the strong connection between my son’s behavior and my own (in some not so pleasant ways), I’m also encouraged to model his behavior in this season of expectation. You see, his birthday is coming up next month. In trying to get him excited about it, I’ve realized that we may have started a bit too early. Now, everyday, he asks about his birthday party, which is weeks away. Lent is about anticipation of Easter, remembering in a special way how God has provided for our deepest human need with the greatest gift of all. It’s a time for us to embrace childlikeness, both in expressing our utter dependence on God the Father and in looking forward to our most meaningful celebration of the year.
May this season of Lent be one in which you are both challenged to make space for more of God’s presence and encouraged to take on a childlike attitude, dependent and expectant.
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