The Christian season of Lent is upon us.
Lent is the 40 days before Easter – excluding Sundays – that mirrors Jesus’ fasting and praying in the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan to forsake his Heavenly Father’s will.
The 40 days compared to the Israelites 40 years in the desert. They fell short of God’s glory in the wilderness yet Jesus stood strong against the wiles of Satan. He stood strong for our sakes and began his faithful journey to the cross.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends the Saturday before Easter. The word Lent comes from an old English word for “lengthen” – as the days get longer, while we approach the glorious Easter celebration.
Historically, Lent served the church in different ways. One way was to help those who had fallen away from the faith, or “backslidden.” If you had denied Christ or reverted to a life of sin, you had the opportunity to repent and join the fellowship of the church again. If you were a new convert to the faith, this was a time of preparation for your baptism and commitment to Christ. Over time, Lent became a time for all Christians to seek to draw closer to God and one another through reflection, penance, self-denial and charity.
Some of the spiritual disciplines emphasized during Lent are prayer and devotion, fasting or giving up something, and giving to help others. Spending extra time in prayer, reading the scriptures and having a daily devotion gives us more opportunities to listen to God. Giving up something for Lent is the most well known discipline. It reminds us of Jesus fasting in the wilderness.
Often, what is given up is something we like or value and is seen as a sacrifice. Some give up meat, sweets, fast food, soda or in this age, social media. Could you imagine someone giving up Facebook for 40 days? Learning to do without strengthens our reliance on God.
A major spiritual discipline during Lent is giving extra funds to help those in need. Some give the money they saved from what they gave up. A number of churches use collection boxes or coin folders. There may be a special offering to missions or a charity that helps people in need. Whatever the gift, it is to be sacrificial and given to help those who are hurting and in need.
Sadly, the needs around us and in the world are great and seem to be getting greater.
Whether you are a person of faith or not all can participate in Lent for the good of all. You may make a commitment to give up plastic bags and realize you can do without them. It is a good time to get that reusable water bottle you have been thinking about. Think of other ways to help your neighbors and others. Only 40 days, but those days can make a difference in your spiritual life, the life of others and all creation.
Eric Reece is the faith columnist for The Graham Star. He is pastor of Robbinsville United Methodist Church. He can be reached via email, ereece@wnccumc.net.