I didn’t grow up in a denomination which recognized or practiced the season of Lent. Only in my adult life, did I decide it was something I wanted to observe.
It’s been several years in which I gave up something for the Lenten season, often wanting it to be something sure to be missed. After all, it is supposed to be a sacrifice.
The sacrifice has, at times, been easier than other times. But most often, it took a concentrated effort on my part to remember and stay focused on being without.
As the season began to draw closer, and with my Lent devotional selected, there was no compulsion to give up anything, or to make a sacrifice.
With my decision in place, I moved into the season and concentrated on my morning Lent readings. The Lord would have His way through the readings and Scriptures and show me what was to be my focus and lessons learned.
One morning last week I was drying my hair. Some of my best conversations with God take place while drying my hair. Other times, it is a wonderful time spent in prayer.
As I was drying and praying, the Lord began to show me in the gentlest of ways what I had, in fact, given up – it was my time.
My time had not been my own. It has been a season of sacrificing my time, my sleep, and my energy. And yes, it has come at a cost.
But the Lenten season is not Lent unless it comes with pain and sacrifice. I cannot even tell you how this all has impacted me. It never occurred to me that we can give something up without even realizing we have done so.
Often our sacrifices are easy, things we can do without missing. Lent is a season to remember “no pain, no gain.” Jesus, in talking to the crowd and His disciples, says:
“And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:34-36, NASB)
“The self who is denied is the self who is received from God and given back to God in obedience and praise.”
(from A Way Other Than Our Own by Walter Brueggemann, page 29)
Time, our most precious commodity. And the Lord desires to have our time. Our time committed to just being with Him. Our time spent in reading His Word and listening for His voice. Our time dedicated to our family and friends.
Lent: a season of sacrifice,
a season of self-denial,
and yet, we are the ones who receive from God.
“If you’re a mom struggling with anxiety, these biblical truths will help you cope so you can find joy through God’s comfort, find hope in Him because He cares for you, and put your trust in God to get you through to the other side.” This post, 3 Bible Verses For the Mama Struggling With Anxiety, by Dr. Michelle Bengtson and her guest Courtney Devich is sure to bring hope.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
I appreciate your insight, Joanne: “It never occurred to me that we can give something up without even realizing we have done so.” It’s encouraging to know that sometimes our sacrifices can actually come naturally; that is hopeful. My religious heritage didn’t practice Lent either, so like you, it’s a practice I picked up on my own in adulthood. I’m repeating a practice this year that I did last year, which is intentionally focusing on 40 different people that cross my path in the 40 days of Lent. It’s been enlightening (again)!
The Christian life is one of laying down our selfish desires and using our time as we see fit can be a big one. How wonderful to have God tap you on the shoulder and show you the beautiful work He has done in you so that laying down comes more naturally!
Lord, may my time be your time, now and always.
Joanne, how sweet for the Lord to let you know how you’d honored Him without your knowing it.
I’m also a late-comer to Lent, and I loved reading about the gentle AHa moment you experienced. How good of God!
Joanne such beautiful thoughts here on Lent and the sacrificial heart. I have found myself in much the same position as you this year, and the Lord’s gentle reminders of the things I HAVE given up without realizing.
In fact, I think these reveal the true heart of sacrifice. I think of Jesus’ example of the pharisees fasting, disfiguring their faces and making sure the outward appearance of denial was visible for all. And just how distasteful He found it.
Perhaps the most meaningful of sacrifices are those given out of love, through love: that is, just within the intimacy of our relationship with Christ. For isn’t that what Lent is really about?
Joanne, thank you for sharing this thoughtful look at Lent with the reminder that sacrifice and self-denial can come in many forms. And as a Christ follower, taking up the cross to follow Him, isn’t just during Lent, but on a daily basis. Wishing you a blessed Easter.
A beautiful post Joanne, thank you for reminding us that our time with God is precious to Him.
May you & your family have a blessed Easter.
Blessings, Jennifer
I did grow up in a tradition where Lent was practiced. What I remember more than giving up something for Lent was the time we took during our school week to walk across our school yard to our church, and then do the “stations of the cross.” Your post has me reflecting–that time of reading scripture and praying was time spent with Jesus, honouring His sacrifice for us, and I think added more to the meaning of Lent than giving up candy! Thank you for this reflection on what sacrifice can meant to our Saviour.
I long struggled with seeing my Lenten efforts as a sacrifice. I consider them more a substitution as I substitute some worldly pleasure or activity with spending that time in prayer and meditation. Your post helped me to understand I am indeed “sacrificing.” I am sacrificing my time to please myself (my ego, hubris, or self-worth) to please Him. Good trade! 🙂 God’s blessings ma’am, and apologies for my tardiness in reading and responding.