My First Lent Journey: Embracing Spiritual Renewal. Day One.

I’ve been a faithful Christian for 54 years and have never challenged my soul to set my feet on that ancient path of Lent.

First Time Experience

My Protestant roots, more specifically, my Pentecostal soul, didn’t move in that direction. I have moved into a more contemplative, intimate relationship with the Redeemer and am drawn to experience this treasured part of Christian history.

Throughout history, Christians have observed the 40 days Jesus fasted in the wilderness through the tradition of Lent, a period of selective abstinence. Catholic tradition calls for fasting one meal only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, including no meat on Fridays.

Why Now?

My purpose for embracing this tradition for the first time in my life is spiritual. Since Easter is the goal, I hope to make this a journey to Communion – preparing my soul wholeheartedly to remember what it took to identify as one of the redeemed of the Lord.

Prayer and fasting prepare our souls for an awakening. It’s not limited to a certain time of year; it’s practiced as devotional worship. But the communion we take on Easter Day has its own treasured moment of all moments during the year.

“See from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down; Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown.” ~Isaac Watts

He lives!

He is returning soon!

What I’m Going to Do

So, here I am waiting like the sisters of the Lord’s dear friend, Lazarus. I’m not sure what will happen while I wait, but I will enter willingly. My heart waits to hear Him say, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.” Yet, to be honest with you, I’m waiting to hear this whispered reassurance, “I am your Resurrection and your Life.”

I’m going to use these 40 days to draw ever closer to the Savior and faithful Redeemer. Will they produce a cultivated longing for more or something else?

I don’t know. But for now, I wait.

In the waiting, I will immerse myself, morning by morning, in the promises of His coming. I will become a thirsty soul refreshed by the Living Word – the breath of God.

Today is Ash Wednesday.

I’ve seen people, especially when I was a child in school, with a touch of ash on their forehead. I did not understand its significance. I will not attend any Lenten opening ceremony nor place ashes on my head, but I will have my own form of sacrifice.

I am yielding my personal wants and desires on the altar. I will allow Him to set fire to anything and everything in my life not aligned to His will. I yield myself on the altar of love.

I will let Him turn them into ashes and replace them with a desire to know Him intimately and walk in His presence daily. I will use these 40 days to walk with Jesus as he reminds me of the true treasure and cost of the Cross.

“But more than pains wracked Him, there was the deep longing thirst divine that thirsted for the souls of men, dear Lord – and one was mine. ~ Author Unknown

Will you join me?

**I appeal to you, therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 NRSV.