A Lent Like No Other

This is my third journey through the Lenten season since joining the United Methodist Church in 2016. Growing up Baptist in Arkansas, Easter was of course our “Super Bowl,” the biggest day of the year celebrating Christ’s resurrection. However, we did not observe Ash Wednesday or Lent, the 46 day season leading up to Easter. I never before had to decide what to “give up.”

I’m still learning a lot about Methodist traditions and theology, (I call myself a Baby Methodist). However, last night as I knelt at church and received the ashes on my forehead, I realized that this Lenten season will be a true journey to the cross for me. Before Easter morning comes I will have traveled to Jerusalem, prayed in the Garden Of Gethsamane, walked the Way Of The Cross, and stood on Calvary. And of course most importantly, I’ll visit the empty tomb.

I’ll be back in my regular pew on Easter Sunday morning, a changed person? A more dedicated Christian? We’ll have to wait and see. I already tear up every year when we triumphantly sing and literally “Lift High The Cross.”

A Reading Update

Remember my reading list for Israel? Well, I’ve finished the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. Luke is next and I believe he’s the lengthy one, right? It’s so interesting to see how the different apostles describe the same events, what they leave in, what they leave out. Each year, our senior pastor at St. James UMC gives us a Lenten reading schedule and this year it’s…Matthew! So, I’m thinking for the first time ever I’m ahead on a reading assignment. Just ask any of my former English or Literature teachers!

Last year for Lent I chose to give up my cell phone (social media) in the evenings. My hope was that this would free up time for more important things like visiting with my family, relaxing, reading and getting to bed on time. I did “ok” last year, but not great. I probably freed up more time for Netflix than anything else. So, I think I’ll give that another shot, especially since I have so much to read and think about. Is that OK to give up the same thing?

Tell me what this season of Lent means to you. Are you giving anything up to show your devotion to God or to make you a better Christian? Maybe you’re adding something to your life instead. Or do you attempt to do this year-round, always trying to be as close to God as possible? I hope you’ll share your thoughts with all of us!