Lent can sound sombre, restrictive, even joyless. And yet, year after year, I return to it with fresh gratitude. Lent is God, in his kindness, giving us time.
Here are four reasons why I keep Lent and why I believe it remains one of the most life-giving seasons of the Christian year.
1. Lent is a pause
We live in a world that rarely stops. Life moves at motorway speed and often feels like a multi-lane pile-up of deadlines, commitments, notifications and noise. Many people say the same thing with a weary sigh: "I’m just too busy."
Our calendars—whether written in ink or pixels—are overcrowded. For families, coordinating the who, where, and when of life can feel like planning a military operation.
Lent presses the pause button.
Into this frenzy, Lent arrives as a long, slow interruption. Lent presses the pause button.
It invites simplicity and silence, listening and contemplation. It calls us to step out of the rush and remember what truly matters. This is vital, because at the heart of Christianity lies a truth so simple it can easily be drowned out by the noise of life: out of love, God came to us in Jesus Christ to bring forgiveness, healing and new life.
That message does not need improving, but it does need space. "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10 NIV) Lent creates that space. It invites us to stop, to breathe, and to remember who God is and who we are.
2. Lent is about penitence
Penitence may not be a popular word, but it is a precious one. To be penitent is not to wallow in shame, but to walk honestly into the light of God’s mercy.
Repentance has two movements:
- First, admitting that we have sinned before God.
- Second, determining by his grace to live differently.
Take an unflinching look at our hearts.
The psalms cry out with raw honesty. Jesus himself begins his ministry with these words: "Repent and believe the good news." (Mark 1:15 NIV) Lent gives us permission to take an unflinching look at our hearts.
It is rather like a visit to the doctor—uncomfortable at times, involving a bit of prodding and poking, but ultimately life-giving. "Search me, God, and know my heart... See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV) Repentance clears the ground so grace can grow.
3. Lent is about priorities
Traditionally, Lent involves giving something up, food, drink, or perhaps social media. This is not spiritual dieting; it is spiritual re-ordering.
I will not be mastered by anything.
By saying no to something we enjoy, we are saying yes to something greater. We are reminding our appetites and desires that they are not in charge. "I will not be mastered by anything." (1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV)
So easily, often without realizing it, we place ourselves at the center of our lives. Lent gently but firmly recenters us. It teaches us to seek not merely what we want for ourselves, but what God wants for us.
In the vein of "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." (Matthew 6:33 NKJV), Lent helps us realign our loves, reorder our lives, and rediscover what truly satisfies.
4. Lent is about preparation
Lent is never the destination; it is the road that leads to Easter. It is the warm-up before the great celebration. Like a musician practicing scales or an athlete training before a race, Lent prepares us to receive Easter fully.
Unless we face the depth of the human problem, we will never grasp the wonder of God’s answer.
"He was pierced for our transgressions... and by his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5 NIV)
Lent deepens our hunger so that Easter can truly satisfy.
A feast tastes richer after a fast. Light shines brighter after darkness. Resurrection means more when we have walked through the valley. "Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.’ (Psalm 30:5 NIV) Lent deepens our hunger so that Easter can truly satisfy.
So why do I keep Lent?
- Because Lent slows me down when life speeds up.
- Because Lent tells the truth about sin and the greater truth about grace.
- Because Lent reorders my loves.
Lent is not about losing joy; it is about finding it more deeply.
And because Lent leads me, once again, to the empty tomb. Lent is not about losing joy; it is about finding it more deeply. This year let’s not rush through Lent. Let’s learn from Lent.
Four memorable Lent one-liners
- Lent is not about giving things up; it’s about giving God room.
- Lent slows us down so grace can catch up with us.
- Lent clears the clutter of the heart so Christ can take center stage.
- We fast in Lent so that we can feast fully at Easter.
A prayer for the beginning of Lent
Still our hearts, slow our steps, and soften our spirits.
Gracious and loving God, as we begin this season of Lent, we come quietly before you. Still our hearts, slow our steps, and soften our spirits.
Show us what needs to be laid down, and what needs to be taken up.
Give us courage to face our sin, humility to receive your mercy, and grace to walk in newness of life.
Create in us clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit within us.
Lead us through the wilderness with Jesus, that we may share fully in the joy of his resurrection.
We offer you, this season, our prayers, our fasting, our listening and our lives.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, and our hope.
Amen.
Originally published by Philo Trust. Republished with permission.
J.John is an evangelist, minister, speaker, broadcaster and writer. He has been in ministry for four decades. He has spoken in towns, cities and universities in 69 countries, establishing Philo Trust in 1982 to organize his various evangelistic ministry offerings. J.John’s weekly podcast, The J.John Podcast, features a range of interviews with Christians from all walks of life and talks by J.John. Click here to listen. J.John’s books are available to order via jjohn.com or through other online or physical bookshops.
Philo Trust was established by J.John in 1982 to organize evangelistic events and projects, equip Christians to naturally share their faith, mentor evangelists, and produce books and resources to help people in their journey of faith.
