What I Did Over Lent!

I feel like I am back in grade school and writing the historical/ traditional, “What I Did over My Summer Vacation” paper; only this one is entitled, “What I Learned from My Lenten Fast”.  In fact, I find myself missing Lent even though we are almost finished with the celebration of the Easter season.  As most of you know I set a course to fast over the Lenten season this year.  Now some might argue that my fast wasn’t a true fast, but I limited my intake of food to water and four bottles of Ensure a day, resulting in an intake of 880 calories.  That is a fair amount of nourishment some might say—but not for one who loves to eat like I do!

I set this goal of fasting way back in November; in January we did a Bible study on fasting in Adult Bible class and what the purpose of fasting was—a time of denying oneself for the sake of coming before the Lord in humility, prayer, and sorrow for sin for the sake of receiving forgiveness and the strength to repent and walk again with the Lord.  My thought back then was not only for me but that others might want to share in that experience as well.

Now in giving up something for Lent, one must also realize and plan on not going back to it after Lent as well.  For in giving up something during Lent, the purpose is to continue on in the victory of this new life in Christ—leaving the old behind and moving on with the new.  One must also keep in mind that in “giving up” something for Lent the purpose is for spiritual growth and renewal, not physical, temporal gain, even though that may also be a subsidiary result.

So for six weeks I drank my Ensure and water; I skipped Lenten dinners and declined dinner invitations out;  I tried to keep what I was doing as quiet as possible so the fast was about drawing closer to my Lord than about me (Yes, I know the whole world knew anyway, but you get my Biblical drift).  And what followed was the most amazing, wonderful, and powerful experience in my faith and life!

I found myself spending more time in the sanctuary kneeling in prayer at the chancel rail even though it was cold in the room.  As my personal worship time increased, so did the ease of fasting.  It wasn’t a chore; it actually became very liberating—sort of like being a clock-watcher.  Instead of thinking about food and watching the clock to see when the next time I could eat was, I would find myself busy with whatever the task at hand was, not keeping an eye on when could I eat again as I had in the past.

I would wake up in the middle of the night as I always had, but now, instead of going downstairs to get on the computer, I would get out my phone and set it to night mode and start reading through all of the devotional apps I have on it.  And the Lord would show me so many things from His Word that I couldn’t go back to sleep for a while because my mind would be racing with thoughts on devotions to share on my pastoral visits, Bible Studies to do, thoughts to put in sermons, etc.  I found myself beginning to memorize Bible passages again, something I haven’t made a conscious effort to do in a long while.  I even found myself memorizing and meditating on the versicles and canticles from some of the minor services.

But now Lent has been over for several weeks; I have returned to eating again, albeit differently than before (more on that aspect next month); still keeping up with the spiritual disciplines of devotional life; and still growing more and more in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ as my Lord.  But it isn’t as easy (or at least seems that way) as it was during Lent.  I think that is why I miss it.  But through my fasting journey, the Lord has certainly solidified my faith and trust in him—it is definitely higher, wider, deeper, and longer then it was before.  Not that I wasn’t before, but I am more sure and certain of Him who died for me than ever.  When God says ask and it will be given you, he really does give it to you; when God says seek and you will find, you really do find him; and when he says to knock and the door will be opened to you, it really is opened to you.

I feel a spring in my step again, a new enthusiasm for ministry, and I am dreaming again and looking forward to the future with great relish.  For me I really didn’t give up anything for as usual God did!  He richly gave of himself to me in every way.  It was a wonderful Lent—everything Lent should be and more.  And it continues.

 AE