What Is Lent?

On Wednesday, February 18th, the Church begins the holy season of Lent. You've probably heard someone say, "I'm going to give up ___ for Lent." Even if you understand what Lent is, you may still wonder what the point is. Is Lent just like a faith-based New Years' resolution? Or is Lent something God tells us to do?

Lent is 40 days (not counting Sundays), starting on Ash Wednesday and ending on Easter. Ash Wednesday is a solemn day that marks the beginning of a season of repentance in preparation for celebrating Jesus' resurrection. Sundays are “little Easters” a day off from observing Lent by some people.

The word "Lent" comes from the Old English word, "lencten," which referred to springtime. Early Christians believed that they should fast for 40 days like Jesus did, out of obedience to observe the remembrance of His death and resurrection. Through the years, Lent has expanded into a broader tradition that varies by church and individual, but its purpose remains the same. When we repent and mourn our sin, we acknowledge the weight of Jesus's gift of salvation.

So, where did Lent begin? It's hard to pinpoint when exactly the tradition of Lent began, but we can see similar practices in the Bible. In Matthew 4, Jesus goes into the wilderness and fasts for 40 days and 40 nights. Many people consider this the basis for Lent to honor God through sacrifice. There are also other times where the Bible mentions fasting to show repentance. We can gather biblical reasons to celebrate Lent; however, it's important to note that Lent is not mentioned in the Bible, and fasting (or similar sacrifices) is not something God tells us we have to do.

Ultimately, only you can discern if you should participate in Lent. It's not something we should do out of obligation but with a reverent heart. If you think you need to do certain things to earn God's favor, that can distract from an authentic relationship with Him. So, ask yourself what your purpose for Lent would be. If you have certain habits in mind, what is the context? If you want to start working out to lose weight or need to give up food that's bad for your health, those things may be more general self-improvement goals than Lent candidates. While everything we do should point to God, including how we treat our physical and mental health, Lent is a time to give specific intention to our closeness to Jesus. Before you decide to give something up for Lent, open your heart to where God wants to work in you. If you aren't ready for that step, God will be there as you move forward, and you can set goals at your own pace.

Look for the conclusion of this article in next weeks letter....