Into The Wilderness
Into The Wilderness
A personal repentance and an invitation to enter Lent together
Young, The Arrogant
Take a look at this screenshot that came up on my “Facebook Memories”.
Humbling to say the least.
Unfortunately, this was in 2016, just a mere eight years ago as I was in my peak “stage-caged” Reformed years (meaning, it would have better served the general population if I had just lived in a cage, away from people, because of the arrogance and ego-headedness I possessed due to the Neo-Reformed Theological culture I had been a part of).
I thought I was being slick. Funny. And wise even. Just reading those words, I can remember the arrogance I felt.
Yikes.
However, the Lord in His kindness, continues to prune me from so many forces, both inside-and-out, that have attempted to shape me into a disfigured follower of Jesus. If you’ve ever wondered if theology or the culture of a “theological tribe” could disfigure your heart, I’m a prime example of the reality that it sure can.
But since 2016, over 8 years now, my views on the spiritual practices have shifted and I’ve found a profound richness in my journey with the Lord yet again. Hallelujah.
Enter Lent. An ancient tradition in which our modern consumeristic, capitalistic hearts and minds are desperately in need of.
Rooted in the day where Jesus entered into the wilderness to fast for 40 days and 40 nights, Lent is a season observed my millions of Christ followers around the globe. It is a stretch of 40 days of fasting, where dependency on the Spirit of God and the Word of God is emphasized.
For more fasting resources, check out these super helpful pages that have guided me in recent months on understanding the spiritual practice of fasting in a Biblical and Spirit-filled way.”
Rule of Life - Spotify Episodes on Fasting (Episode 1, 2, 3, 4)
An Invitation To Practice Lent, Together
If it’s been a while since you’ve fasted or observed Lent, you’re in great company. In fact, I’m the conductor driving this train, so feel free to hop on!
Over the last three months, I’ve practiced fasting for specific reasons during this season of seeking clarity from the Lord for mine and Hannah’s future. And by some supernatural and mysterious way, the Lord again in His kindness, answered and brought to us clear steps for our future. But apart from the last three months, I haven’t fasted at all since 2011 (in preparation for a mission trip to Mexico). That’s a long 12 years and some change!
Observing Lent? This is my first time in well over 10 years.
Again, you’re in great company if it’s your first time fasting in a while or observing Lent.
Here’s how I’m approaching Lent in 2024, so feel free to pick this up for yourself if you feel insecure, confused, or just flat out unaware of how to enter the Lenten season this year:
Prepare with the Word and prayer: (Matthew 4:1-2) - “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.”
For further reading, check out: Matthew 21:1-11, 27:27-61, 28:1-10
Create a theological frame: fasting is a practice of counter-formation. Fasting helps me to become more aware of my soul and body’s deep longing and dependency on God as provider. Not my willpower, nor money, nor the forces of this world - solely God as provider for my needs.
Practical steps: Lent is observed over 40 days (Feb. 14th - March 31st, 2024). Fasting in the West has been practiced in recent years with abstaining from items such as social media, video games, drinking soda, eating chocolate, etc.
However …This year, consider fasting from food over the 40 days, because that is the fasting we see in Scripture. It is a challenging, but potent way of experiencing the connection between our soul and body, which comprises our humanity. Fasting from food aids us in experiencing the deep dependency on God as provider.
If it’s your first time fasting, ever, or in a long while, try fasting from food for a set period of time throughout the day (eg. 8am-6pm) or fasting meals and snacks (e.g. fasting lunch, dinner, and snacks only). This is what I did periodically over the last 3 months and it was a great way to dip my toes back into this ancient practice.
Plan a feast with your friends on Easter Sunday, March 31st, 2024. I’ve heard it recently said the life of the follower of Christ constantly falls somewhere between fasting and feasting. Beautifully said. If you can, break your fast in and with community.
Lastly, over the next 40 days, though I wish I could write a Lenten meditation for each day, truthfully, I’m just not prepared or experienced in guiding people through such a powerful and intentional season of fasting. I hope to get there one day in my apprenticeship to Jesus. However, I will be writing a Lenten meditation for each Sunday during this Lenten season. There are 7 Sundays in the Lenten season and each Sunday you’ll get a meditation straight in your inbox to help re-focus your affections on God for the day and for the week.
I pray it aids you if you do step into this potentially beautiful season of fasting for you, as you join millions of fellow brothers and sisters remembering the life, death, and resurrection of King Jesus.