Don’t Just “Give Up” for Lent

Spring brings warmer days, which usher in the beginning of the growing season. The pots I left abandoned outside my house begin to grow delicate little clovers and thick-stalked pokeweed. These weeds get a jumpstart and take advantage of leftover potting soil.

Empty pots will fill up with something. Instead of allowing the weeds to thrive, I choose to fill the pots with geraniums, petunias, and pansies. I am intentional, taking ownership of what I want to grow.

The same principle of filling empty spaces applies to Lenten practices.

Lenten observers often practice the spiritual discipline of fasting. We give something up for forty days—chocolate, alcohol, or social media. Why? Father Thomas McKenzie explains in The Anglican Way: A Guidebook, “The purpose of these disciplines is not to punish ourselves for our sins. Jesus took all the punishment for us. Rather, the disciplines are meant to empty us so that the Lord may fill us”

What might fill you and grow your faith? Not a “self-care” list of things that refresh you and make you feel good. Consider what practices draw you closer to Jesus or help you become more like him in thought and action.

Pray

One of the simplest ways to grow in faith is prayer. If daily prayer is new to you, consider a guided prayer app like Lectio 365, which helps cultivate the practice of daily prayer during Lent. Maybe offer a breath prayer during the times you feel the weight of fasting. It doesn’t have to be complicated to be filling.

Give

Grow your faith through giving. Put aside your daily coffee money—that coffee you aren’t drinking during Lent—and donate it to a charity close to your heart. Encourage a friend, coworker, or family member with a kind word each day. Volunteer at a food bank, babysit for a frazzled mom, or visit an elderly neighbor.

Reflect

Set aside time for reflection during Lent. Read a Lenten devotional series (like A Path to Soul Rest, a free gift from The Glorious Table) or the Sermon on the Mount. Journal your reflections, noting where you sensed God or noticed beauty. Take a quiet walk without listening to music or a podcast to give your thoughts room to bloom.

Grow

Think about ways to grow the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) in yourself. Show someone an unexpected kindness. Seek peace in a fractured relationship. Choose joy by celebrating small victories. Practice intentional deep breaths to cultivate patience or self-control.

We put a lot of thought into what we give up for Lent. This year, consider how you will fill up. What practice or discipline will you employ to grow your faith?

Father, as we continue on the path from Ash Wednesday to Resurrection Sunday, guide us as we practice both fasting and feasting. Fill us with more of you. Fill us with your love, your peace, your Spirit. Amen.

Scripture for Reflection

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matt. 7:7-8 NIV)

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph. 4:22-24 NIV)

Reach for More

Read 2 Kings 4:1-7, the story of a widow’s faith growing when her emptiness was filled. Creditors threatened to enslave her son to satisfy a debt. She cried out to the prophet Elijah for help. He told her to collect empty jars from all of her neighbors and pour the little olive oil she had into the empty jars. She poured and poured until every empty jar was full. She sold the oil and saved her son. Let this story encourage you as God fills your emptiness this Lenten season.

Kelly Smith is a small town girl who married a small town man. They have three children. In the quiet minutes of her day, you will find her at the keyboard or curled up with a book–always with coffee. Kelly believes we are created for community and loves to find ways to connect with other women who are walking in the shadow of the cross. She blogs at mrsdisciple.com.

Photograph © Ales Maze, used with permission