Lent
What’s the deal with Lent?
This is a fair question as many of us haven’t really grown up with the tradition. Even if we have, far too often Lent becomes an opportunity for us to try and shed a few pounds by giving up sweets for 40 days. What is Lent if it isn’t a diet program? That is the question I’d like to take a moment to answer. As well, I’d like to give a brief overview of what I plan to do for Lent this year in hopes that it might be an encouragement to you to practice a similar discipline this Lent.
First, what is Lent? Lent is the 40 day season (excluding Sundays) which runs between Ash Wednesday and Resurrection Sunday. It is 40 days long because it follows the 40 days of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness immediately following his baptism and immediately prior to his release into public ministry. So, in a very real way, it is an opportunity to participate in not only the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, but more importantly, it is participation in Jesus’ victory over the temptation in the wilderness.
Because of this, we lean into the things that he did while he was facing temptation as we prepare to overcome temptation ourselves. Jesus fasted, he prayed, and he meditated on scripture and this is what we hope to do as well.
The goal isn’t simply to deny ourselves. God made the world good for our enjoyment so the point cannot be simply the denial of the good things of creation. The goal must be twofold. We must first practice self-denial in order to make less of ourselves so that we might make much of God. We must also deny ourselves those things which distract us from being dependent on God. We deny ourselves comforts so that we have the strength to deny our idols.
So, in my own Lenten practice that I’m about to outline, you’ll see a mix of denial of comfort, denial of idols, and the addition of things that direct the heart to God. Here goes;
Phone Use
The first thing that I’ve recognized as something that I need to address is the number of times that I look at my phone in a given day. I use the excuse that it is “working” but in all actuality, it might be work that pulls my attention, but it is usually facebook marketplace that keeps my attention. I think I have actually looked at every motorcycle that has been posted in the last month (this is only a slight exaggeration).
Doing this requires some upfront effort, especially being a pastor and knowing that there are situations that require immediate attention. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it simply is the reality of the calling and needs to be addressed. So, working with the iPhone, I can set up a Focus Mode that allows me to have it not send through notifications for apps and features that I choose. I can also select individuals that are allowed (cough cough, my wife, cough cough). This mode will also send an automated text message to inform those sending texts to simply call if they need something that is an emergency or time-sensitive and that otherwise, I’ll get back to them at one of the designated time periods.
My intention then is to check and respond to texts and emails 2x per day. Once at the beginning of the workday and once at the end. This is not because texts and emails are necessarily bad, but that they lead to the other apps that are time-wasters such as facebook and youtube. They are also simply an opportunity to practice self-control.
On a related note, I am giving up social media in general as well. It may be unnecessary given that I’m not looking at my phone, but it seems worth noting that I have a hard time coming up with many redeeming aspects of at least my own use of social media, so an extended fast is in order.
This isn’t merely about being more present in the office or with people during work time. It is also an acknowledgment that I use my phone to escape when things are getting crazy at home. I get my kids for 18 years and if the rest goes as fast as this much of their lives has gone, then I want to be present and enjoy it. It is very hard to believe that 1/3 of Ellis’s time at home is in the past… I want to be present and not miss a moment!
Nightly Distractions
This next one is pretty specific to me. I have insomnia and commonly wake up in the middle of the night with my mind going 1000 miles per hour thinking about all the things that I need to do or that haven’t happened that need to happen and it is impossible to go back to sleep. I’ve gotten into the habit of listening to podcasts or interviews on youtube while I’m in bed to calm my mind enough to fall back asleep.
I’ve recognized this as a multilayered problem, but I think the easiest thing to do is take baby steps. So, I’m going to trade podcasts and youtube videos for the Bible App Audio. What could possibly not be better about my life with more Bible in it. Wonder how much of the Bible I can make it through in 40 days? Perhaps more Bible will also help with the underlying issue of feeling anxious. Only time will tell.
Food Fasting
There is a long tradition of Wednesday and Fridays of Lent being days set aside for food fasting. I’ve decided to do a sort of modified food fast on those days. From 8pm the evening before until noon on the day of, I will abstain from all food and drink other than coffee and water. I like to workout and working out on an empty stomach isn’t fun, so I’ll have a light lunch work out in the early evening and have dinner with my family. Family dinner is important to me as well and worth sacrificing a total fast to accomplish the best of both. Family dinner also promises to be much better without my phone distraction!
I will also abstain from alcohol for the duration of Lent. While alcohol is great for celebration and is God’s gift in it’s proper context, it is dangerous as well. It is a friend best kept in check by regular periods of abstinence.
Daily Prayer
Praying the Daily Office from the Book of Common Prayer 2019(BCP) or dailyoffice2019.com has been a life giving discipline for a long time. Our family prays the Family Prayer at the Close of Day from the Family Prayer section in the BCP nearly every evening at bed time. Our kids are as crazy as anyone’s so this is the time that we can do something that resembles settling down and focusing our hearts on God.
I’ve gone through season of being very consistent with actually praying Daily Morning Prayer from the BCP, but I have been spending my morning prayer time in less structured ways as of late. Lots of meditating on Psalms, listening to old hymns, and silent prayer, but not a lot of liturgical prayer. I think there’s room for both, but there’s enough going on that’s new this season of Lent, so I’m going to keep it simply and just begin each day with Daily Morning Prayer from the BCP.
I’m going to be doing it either way, so I figured why not offer one morning per week where others can join if they so desire. So, I’m going to offer Daily Morning Prayer on each Wednesday morning during Lent at the church at 6am. Please feel free to join me. It is much easier to stay awake durning morning prayer that early if we’re together. I might even break out the guitar, or better yet I might convince Jake to come lead us in a song or two some weeks.
Summary
That’s it for this year. Less distraction, less comfort, more God. I’d invite you to spend the next week praying about what the Lord is calling you to abstain from this Lent and what discipline he might be inviting you to add.
What’s the deal with Lent? It is about making less of ourselves so that we might make much of God. As we make less of ourselves during Lent I can ensure you that it will make our celebration(or our much making) of Resurrection Sunday one that will be utterly unforgettable!
Grace and Peace,
Derek+