an unconventional lenten practice

it is that time again.  lent. i think there is something lovely about this season.  these days, it is so easy to be relaxed about our faith.  to forget the deeper meanings and symbols and historical calendar of the church.  don't get me wrong, i am not encouraging legalism here.  it is for freedom that we have been set free.  but while i love the freedom that Christ brings and that i can approach the Throne of God with a personal "abba father", i also cherish the more formal and reverent things of the faith.  the meaningful holy days.  the high priestly names of God.  all the things that can be so easily overlooked in modern Christendom.  isn't there something remarkable about the old time-y things of the church?

i recently read this article about an unconventional approach to the lenten season. 

what do you think?

i appreciate this lenten season as a proper preparation for easter.  a time when we can take stock of our lives and pinpoint the things that are distracting.  and then, elect to give up those things.  a small act that can help us remember to live sacrificially.  to focus on things above.  to live simply.  to pray for His provision.  to lean on His strength.

do you do lent?

what meaning does this season hold for you?

sometimes it is good to step back and remember the bigger picture.  i think that this has something to do with what lent is about.  it’s about remembering who we are and why are here.  lent is hiking up to the ledge again.  it’s reminding us of our humanity again.  we paint crosses of ash on our foreheads to remind us that we come from dust and to dust we shall return.  we give up things we like as a way of taking a step back from the blur and chaos of our lives, taking a clean look at what we have set our hands to, gathering strength for another day of work in the valley.

michael gungor