Discovering the Gift of Lent
by Pastor Paul Dugan
You have probably heard someone say this, “I’m giving up… (chocolate, caffeine, fast food, etc) for Lent” around this time of year.
But Lent is so much more than “giving up” something. For more than sixteen centuries, followers of Jesus around the world have set aside the 40 days leading up to Holy Week as an intentional spiritual journey of repentance and renewal. We do this in solidarity with Jesus, who was led by the Spirit into the desert for 40 days, following his baptism.
Why the desert? It is in the ‘desert places' that our temptations, false selves, disordered loves, and cherished idols are exposed. It is in the desert that we are prepared to rediscover the amazing good news of the gospel of Holy Week and Easter. Lent is preparation for Easter revival!
Here are some ways to personally experience the spiritual journey of Lent:
Follow a Lenten devotional:
The Lent Project is a guided daily digital meditation on Christ’s life, death, and resurrection through the lens of the Psalms, drawing from the riches of art, poetry and music.
Check out The Lent Project HERE.
(From the Biola University Center for Christianity, Culture, and the Arts.)
Join a small group:
If you are interested in joining a new small group to study and pray through Ephesians during Lent, check out the DNA Road Test- Tues, March 8 @7pm in the Big Room (aka Fellowship Hall). Host: Pastor Paul. For more on DNA HERE.
For more on Lent:
If the concept of Lent is new to you, we recommend this introduction by Julie Canlis- 'Lent to the Rescue'- HERE.