Renewing the Heart, Mind, and Soul

​For many Christian denominations, this week begins a forty-day period known as Lent.  Early church father Irenaus of Lyons (130-200) described a spiritual practice similar to Lent, but it only lasted a few days.  And, a forty-day spiritual discipline is first mentioned at the Council of Nicea in 325. So, what exactly is Lent? The origin of the word lent comes from the Middle English word “lencten,” which means to lengthen, particularly in the lengthening of days at the approach of Spring. As a spiritual practice, Lent is a time of spiritual reflection, self-examination, and self-denial. Lent has historically been marked by fasting or giving something up; in this way, the removal of temptations or distractions can have the effect of drawing closer to Christ by creating intentional time for spiritual connection, and it can further develop self-discipline for the growth of spiritual discipline.
 
My personal experiences have focused on the “giving up” part of Lent. Since my childhood, I have worshipped in many different denominations where an observation of Lent was either encouraged in one denomination, or non-existent in another.  For me, the “giving up” for Lent has sometimes been food or beverage related, and at other times technology related. To be honest, the fasting or giving up for Lent hasn’t ever really deepened my spiritual connection to God. Instead, fasting for Lent has sometimes been too much of a focus on self – the emphasis of what I am giving up, or an unintended pride of what I am “sacrificing,” or shame because I just couldn’t last the full forty days.  And yet, I believe an intentional forty-day span could offer a deep and meaningful spiritual experience.
 
What if Lent was a spiritual practice emphasizing what we can put in, rather than give up?  If you know me, you know I have a deep love for the Fruit of the Spirit – I frequently bring the focus on the Fruit of the Spirit into a therapy session, and the Fruit of the Spirit is part of my own daily and mindful focus for deeper spiritual connection and walking with God. So, I am inviting you to join me in experiencing Lent in a different way this year.  From Ash Wednesday to Easter, on the blog I will offer a scripture related to a Fruit of the Spirit selected for that day with guided questions for cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit in daily living. Each day we will focus on one of the nine Fruit of the Spirit and repeat the practice four times for a total of 36 days. Then, during Holy Week, on Holy Wednesday, which will be day 37, we will focus on the sacrifice of the Lord on those particular days of Holy Week. Sundays will be days for personal meditation, prayer, and/or worship.  So, in the end, by pouring in the Fruit of the Spirit, we will be giving up the desires of the flesh. 

"But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
​Galatians 5: 22-23