Lenten Thoughts

First of all, Happy March.

Now, I find the subject of Lent an interesting one. I did not grow up in the Catholic tradition and never practiced lent while growing up. Well, upon going to college, I began to become fascinated with certain aspects of the Catholic faith and Lent (although not solely Catholic) was at the top of the list. I think there is something beautiful about setting time apart before the Last Supper, before the Crucifixion, before the Resurrection. Forty days is a traditional number of discipline, devotion, and preparation in the Bible and I think the crucifixion and resurection is worth preparing for.

"Moses stayed on the Mountain of God forty days (Exodus 24:18 and 34:28), the spies were in the land for forty days (Numbers 13:25), Elijah traveled forty days before he reached the cave where he had his vision (1 Kings 19:8), Nineveh was given forty days to repent (Jonah 3:4), and most importantly, prior to undertaking his ministry, Jesus spent forty days in wilderness praying and fasting (Matthew 4:2). Since Lent if a period of prayer and fasting, it is fitting for Christians to imitate their Lord with a forty day period. Christ used a forty day period of prayer and fasting to prepare for his ministry, which culminated in his death and resurrection, and thus it is fitting for Christians to imitate him with a forty day period of prayer and fasting to prepare for the celebration of his ministry's climax, Good Friday (the day of the crucifixion) and Easter Sunday (the day of the resurrection)." (See Source.)

I wonder if the Protestant faith has really lost some of the beauty surrounding the weeks of Easter. In thinking about Lent over the last few years, I find myself wondering about what to "give up." I understand the dilemna of wanting to give up something simply to give something up, not to really come and prepare for the death and raising of Jesus Christ. I can see how it becomes something we do more for us and not something we do for more of Him.

Today, I decided that I'm not going to give something up this year. Instead of committing to give something up, I think I will commit to doing. I hope to meet with God consistently for 40 days. I certainly think was one aspect of Christ's time in the wilderness.

I find this very interesting. As I was talking about Lent with Mr. Taylor Horner earlier today, I realized that starting tonight, I am on Spring Break (YES!). But then I realized that over my break, I have to write my paper for my Biblical Theology class. For the paper, we had to pick a theme found in the Old and New Testaments and dive in. Well, months ago, during the first week of classes, I chose to do my paper on "wilderness." I plan to research the Israelites and Christ. I certainly didn't put it together when I chose the topic that I would begin the paper on the first day of Lent.

I want to prepare for the meaning and beauty found in the weeks surrounding Easter. I want to strengthen the disciplines in my life. I want to devote myself to Christ and prepare anew for what it means to be His follower.