Practicing Lent

We often consider Lent to be a Lutheran or Catholic tradition; but I would like to take a moment to consider this as a new Free Will Baptist tradition.

What is Lent? It is the sacrifice of something that we find near and dear to our lives for the purification of our spirit to understand and observe Easter.

Why is Lent important? It is important, because it helps us to focus our thoughts on Christ's death and resurrection. By giving up something that we love (e.g. certain foods, TV, Internet) we are allowing God to use the absence of that object to speak to our lives. It is much like fasting in that our hunger for the thing lost continually reminds us to turn our heart toward God.

Why should you consider Lent? Lent is not something that you HAVE to practice, but rather something that you should desire to practice. If your goal is to understand God better today than yesterday, then you should practice the spiritual discipline of fasting. It will open your heart and mind to His voice and allow God to penetrate your deepest and most intimate thoughts.

When is Lent? This year Lent will start on Wednesday, February 17th. If you are going to participate, it will last until the Thursday before Easter (the day before Good Friday).

I look forward to hearing from you. If you are going to participate in this sacrifice, then let's make it a priority. Do you trust God to change your life? Then it's time that you take a little time out of your day to follow Him.