Have we consciously or subconsciously transformed Lent into a forty-day religious exercise instead of a time of genuine spiritual growth?  Probably so, but it was never meant to be that way.

Lent is for change.

 As is the case with most church traditions, the original intention of Lent has become lost.  The early church designated the period before Easter as a time to tach new believers about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  After this time of preparation, these new converts were baptized at sunrise on Easter.  As this practice developed, the church began to realize the need for believers to regularly focus on discipleship.  So the young church devised Lent as a way for Christians to examine their faith in Jeus Christ in preparation for Easter.

Lent means "spring".  Lent is the time for us to consider how we are living out the new life found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The forty days of Lent are symbolic of the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness.  These days remind us of how Jesus became submissive to the will of the Father.  Lent is a time for us to submit our lives to God through Jesus Christ.  It is an opportunity to learn how to be dependent upon His grace as the source of power for character transformation.  It is a time to affirm that Jesus Christ came to touch every area of life, from the church to the family.

Yep - there is is: Lent is for change.  Sounds good on paper, doesn't it?  And it is.  It is the practice of Lent, however that has become sadly comical.  Somewhere in history, Lent became a purpose unto itself.  On Ash Wednesday, we "religiously" (though often reluctantly) ditch those activities that are considered harmful, and in most cases, sinful.  With varying degrees of consistency, we tackle the following forty days in a religious effort to proveto ourselvesand to God that we can "live the life".  But quicker than we can hang-up our new Easter outfit, the good disciplines are tossed into a corner and we slip back into the bad ones.  If we drop the good and resume the bad soon after shouting the Easter "hallelujahs", then what are we saying?  If Lent is nothing more than a religious exercise of personal fortitude (the religious equivalent of "New Year's Resolutions"), then it really doesn't accomplish much - not for ourselves, and not for the Kingdom.

Simply put, Lent is for change - permanent change.  The prupose of Lent is not to trnasform our behavior for forty days, but for all of our days.  And the best part of all is that we don't do the changing - Jesus does!  Our role is to engage the disciplines; Christ's role is to transform.

Will you allow Christ to change you - for His sale and yours?  If you do, then you not only accept the fact that Lent is change, but that Lent is for you.  How are you living the life...honestly?  Do you want to deepne your worship and prayer life?  Experience fellowship on a deeper level?  Do you want to dig deeper into God's Word for truths that can transform your life?  Do you desire to be a more loving individual with a servant's heart?  do you long to delight in introducing Christ to others in your own, unique way?  And most importantly, do you want to experience authentic life as opposed to cheap imitations?

If your answer is "yes" to all of these, then you are ready for Lent - you are ready for change - not just a Lent for forty days, but for all of your days.

 Learn more about Bethel-St. Paul Church online: www.bethelstpaul.org