What is Lent & How Can You Observe It?

What is lent? How do you participate? What can you do? What can’t you do? Why observe Lent? I posted about Lent on Instagram, and I got SO many questions about it. It was so fascinating to read and hear and create a space for people to talk about Lent. I really had no idea that people didn’t know about Lent, and it made me so excited to share about a rhythm of the church calendar that has greatly impacted my life. God wants to draw us into deeper intimacy with Him, and this is the perfect season to try it out!

I do want to preface this blog post with saying that I am no Lent expert. I have not gone to seminary or anything like that. Take what I say and take it to the Lord. Ask Him if what I am saying is true and what you should learn from this and how and if you should observe Lent this year.

What is Lent? For me, it’s a way to prepare my heart for Easter.  The month of December is the season of Advent during which I am preparing my heart leading up to Christmas to celebrate the birth of Jesus. During the season of Lent, I set aside more time to be with Jesus and pray and read His Word in anticipation for remembering our sins and His death on the cross, as well as celebrating His resurrection.  Lent is more of a solemn time of reflection as we draw near to the Lord.

I have been asked in the past if Lent is only for Catholics or certain denominations? I think originally people from particular denominations recognize and celebrate it more, but in the past years I have seen it become less denomination heavy, and more accepted, practiced and observed amongst the Christian community.

I grew up in, and still work at and attend, a Lutheran church where many observe the season of Lent.  I remember growing up trying to not eat certain foods for the forty days, often sweet things.  I would frequently fail, though, and feel so bad for not making it all forty days without doing or eating whatever item I had “picked” for the year.  In college I remember I had picked chocolate to give up for the forty days, but then my mom sent me a St. Patrick’s Day care package with a little chocolate leprechaun inside.  I totally forgot about giving up chocolate and scarfed him down.  Several hours later I remembered my mistake and how I had given up chocolate.  There was so much shame and guilt.  I thought about how I “blew it” and then stopped trying for the rest of Lent.  Looking back, I realize how surface-level I was observing Lent.  But I also now recognize that as we grow closer to God, our faith deepens.  

The number 40 is significant in the Bible.  Two instances jump out at me.  The first is the Israelites wandering in the wilderness for 40 years as a consequence of their sin.  We need to spend the season of Lent reflecting on our need for a Savior.  The second story that comes to mind is when Jesus fasts in the wilderness for 40 days. This story reminds us of the sacrifice He made when He came here to save us from our sin.

People often give up something for Lent.  Some people instead choose to add something to their schedule/plate for Lent.  My family often adds attending a Wednesday night Lent worship service.

Point is for it to be a sacrifice, like what Jesus did when He died on the cross to save us from our sins. It’s also not just a diet. You want to use the time you would spend doing that certain thing and instead use it to spend time with God in prayer and reading His Word.

May God use these next 40 days to draw you closer to Him!