What is Lent? “Lent” comes from the Old English word lenct (meaning “spring”), which named the season often associated with this time period. It was recognized by the church very early on. Originally the time was meant as a fast for new Christians preparing to be baptized at Easter, but eventually the whole church began observing it, and it was recognized by the Council of Nicaea (AD 325). It is a 40-day countdown to Easter, and begins this year on Wednesday, February 17. Among other things, it is intended to remember and symbolize the 40 day temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, recorded in the Gospels (e.g. Matthew 4). Lent is a season of preparation, much like Advent is a season of preparation for Christmas. We prepare ourselves as we look and move toward Holy Week - that week symbolizing Jesus’ last week prior to the crucifixion and resurrection, where we celebrate days such as Good Friday and Easter. Traditionally, Christians take up practices during Lent which symbolize repentance, such as fasting. It is crucial to understand that no fast or self-sacrifice will earn us a better standing before God. Vastly more important than our works is remembering Jesus’ work on our behalf. Lent is a great period to continually reflect on the fact that Jesus not only died for us, He lived for us. His perfection is the lens through which God looks at us when we put our faith in Him. He certainly died to pay the penalty for our sins. But He also lived to give us a righteousness we could never live out ourselves.
What this means for Long Green. Though Southern Baptists are not known for a tradition of observing Lent, we can certainly use this season of the year as a tool to focus our hearts and minds on the truths found in Scripture addressing our need for repentance, fasting, and casting off distraction and spiritual "clutter." We will start each service with a Confession of Sin, which reminds us of our broken nature and our need for a Savior. The music will reflect the themes of lent - repentance, salvation, mercy, and other similar topics.
Taking fasting seriously. We live in a culture of excess. Our society knows very little of self-restraint and moderation. As followers of Jesus, we need to be on constant guard against the onslaught of culture in this area, knowing that we are awash in such sentiments that cut against the grain of who we’re called to be as simple and temperate. Perhaps Lent can be a wakeup call for us to examine those areas in our lives where we’ve let our excesses go unchecked. Fasting is commanded by God and is a useful tool to help us keep our flesh “in check.” It is a vehicle through which the Holy Spirit trains us to say “no” to the flesh and “yes” to Christ’s righteousness. Consider what fasting could look like for you this Lenten season.
Some Ideas for Lent:
Fasting - Think of something that is part of your daily routine (Coffee, Dessert, Certain TV entertainment, etc.) and try giving that up for the Lenten season. An example might be to give up all drinks except water, and use the money saved to support Dollar for a Drink, a partnership with Baptist Global Response to bring clean water to refugees in Sudan. Find them at www.dollarforadrink.org.
Keep a Journal - Writing out your prayers and thoughts can be a new way to identify the things that are causing you to struggle, and to focus on God's mercy and strength to free you from temptation.
Serve as Jesus Served - Find a way locally to sacrifice some free time to serve. Help at a homeless shelter, a tutoring program, or any other way to connect with people in need. More than donating money, investing your time in service projects will transform your outlook and open your heart to see others as Jesus sees them.
I hope this explanation helps us as a church to draw nearer to God as we travel together toward the cross and the empty tomb.
In Christ,
Patrick Bourckel
Minister of Music
Much of this material was borrowed from Zac Hicks, Pastor of Worship at Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church in Englewood, Colorado. You can read his blog at www.zachicks.com