Every year at Lent, we join followers of Jesus around the world who choose to fast. What we fast from is generally different from person to person, often rooted in some kind of vice that we've identified in our life, or perhaps a prompting from the Spirit. Whatever we choose to give up, the desire is the same: to draw closer to Jesus.
[ read more about why and how to enter into a Lenten fast ]
Jesus, in his Sermon on the Mount, had some pointed words regarding how we fast... in particular how we let others know that we are fasting. Simply put, we are to fast in a way that doesn't draw attention to us or our suffering, but rather, draws our attention to our Father in Heaven.
In saying that, this is a blog post where some of the Redwood staff share the things they've given up (alphabetically in order of first name, with one exception). Why are we doing this?!
We're doing this because we also recognize that the life of faith that Jesus calls us to live is one of sharing, and the ways that we bear witness to the grace of God in our own lives can be an encouragment to others.
So receive this in that spirit and be encouraged, maybe even inspired, because everything shared here is the fruit of a earnest walk with the Lord; we all just want to draw closer to Jesus. May he meet us in our deprivations and strengthen us again temptations this Lenten season.
[ read more about why and how to enter into a Lenten fast ]
Jesus, in his Sermon on the Mount, had some pointed words regarding how we fast... in particular how we let others know that we are fasting. Simply put, we are to fast in a way that doesn't draw attention to us or our suffering, but rather, draws our attention to our Father in Heaven.
In saying that, this is a blog post where some of the Redwood staff share the things they've given up (alphabetically in order of first name, with one exception). Why are we doing this?!
We're doing this because we also recognize that the life of faith that Jesus calls us to live is one of sharing, and the ways that we bear witness to the grace of God in our own lives can be an encouragment to others.
So receive this in that spirit and be encouraged, maybe even inspired, because everything shared here is the fruit of a earnest walk with the Lord; we all just want to draw closer to Jesus. May he meet us in our deprivations and strengthen us again temptations this Lenten season.
i. Alissa
I have been prompted by the Lord in the past to give up something for Lent - specifically coffee. I have ignored and/or flat out said nope, not doing that. Whatever I could have gained by being obedient has been lost and I have missed what the Lord could have been working through in me.
This year, however, as Lent approaches, I have once again been prompted to give up something that I rely on daily as a way to 'get me through the day' - coffee. This time, I will be obedient and I will give up my beloved drink of choice for the opportunity to see and experience God and rely on Him to get through my day.
This year, however, as Lent approaches, I have once again been prompted to give up something that I rely on daily as a way to 'get me through the day' - coffee. This time, I will be obedient and I will give up my beloved drink of choice for the opportunity to see and experience God and rely on Him to get through my day.
ii. Graeme
As I've thought about what I might do for Lent this year, I've been thinking about the common Lenten theme of "wilderness." There's the primary image of Jesus' 40 day temptations, of course, but also all the times we see God's people going through some sort of 40-day "wilderness experience," whether literally or figuratively. Moses on the mountain with God in Exodus, Israel in the desert before the promised land, Nineveh after the famous prophet Jonah tells them to repent. I've been captured by these various instances of 40-day periods, and how they might shape my approach to the 40 days of Lent.
Remembering that Lent can be as much about adding in a new habit as much as giving something up, I'm going to take one example of a 40-day wilderness experience per week, and meditate on it for that 7-day period. I did a similar practice in 2023, meditating on a theme of Lent each week, and it was profound – I'm eager to do similar this year.
But, to make room for this new habit, I recognize it would be wise to give something up as well. Like many others, I struggle with my social media consumption, particularly Facebook and YouTube in my case. So, I plan to change my account passwords, and give up these platforms for the Lenten season.
My hope is in both of these practices to be more sobered, more grounded, and more lifted to God ahead of Holy Week. I love Lent, and can't wait to practice it along with all of you as my church family.
Remembering that Lent can be as much about adding in a new habit as much as giving something up, I'm going to take one example of a 40-day wilderness experience per week, and meditate on it for that 7-day period. I did a similar practice in 2023, meditating on a theme of Lent each week, and it was profound – I'm eager to do similar this year.
But, to make room for this new habit, I recognize it would be wise to give something up as well. Like many others, I struggle with my social media consumption, particularly Facebook and YouTube in my case. So, I plan to change my account passwords, and give up these platforms for the Lenten season.
My hope is in both of these practices to be more sobered, more grounded, and more lifted to God ahead of Holy Week. I love Lent, and can't wait to practice it along with all of you as my church family.
iii. Jay
Lately, I’ve noticed myself drifting into time-wasting activities in the evenings, despite my desire to use that time for more soul-giving pursuits. This Lent, I sense Jesus inviting me to something better. So, by His grace, I'm not going to watch television in the evenings for this season with a desire for more of Him.
iv. Shawn
My discerning for what I would give up for Lent began, unexpectedly, back in Advent.
During a prayer time, I was reflecting on the stories of Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem. As I imagined what the journey must have been like, I was struck by how mundane and ordinary the journey seemed… and how quiet.
I love music, podcasts, movies, video games… even scrolling social media: I hate it, but I also love it. But at what point do all of these wonderful things become a distraction?
As I reflected on the silence of life as Jesus lived it, I began to realize how dependent I have become on stimulus, entertainment and distraction.
This Lent I want to live a little more like Jesus lived, and, inspired by something Mark Schutte did a couple of years back, I’m giving up all media - audio and visual alike (except actual books) - and taking on boredom.
During a prayer time, I was reflecting on the stories of Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem. As I imagined what the journey must have been like, I was struck by how mundane and ordinary the journey seemed… and how quiet.
I love music, podcasts, movies, video games… even scrolling social media: I hate it, but I also love it. But at what point do all of these wonderful things become a distraction?
As I reflected on the silence of life as Jesus lived it, I began to realize how dependent I have become on stimulus, entertainment and distraction.
This Lent I want to live a little more like Jesus lived, and, inspired by something Mark Schutte did a couple of years back, I’m giving up all media - audio and visual alike (except actual books) - and taking on boredom.
v. Mark
This past year I've been discerning what to give up for Lent. The last couple of years of Lent have been a truly transformational time for my faith. Two years ago, I gave up listening to music, and lived the 40 days in silence before the Lord. Last Year, I gave up video media and embraced (or at least tried to embrace) stillness instead of continuous distraction.
This year, as Shawn drew our attention to the season, I decided to join him in completely fasting from audio/visual media (except for pastoral and seminary responsibilities). Throughout this discernment process, my mind has been drawn to David's early years spent tending his sheep alone. This season of silence and solitude resulted in significant intimacy with and reliance upon the Lord for him. God-willing, this Lenten season will have similar results for me.
This year, as Shawn drew our attention to the season, I decided to join him in completely fasting from audio/visual media (except for pastoral and seminary responsibilities). Throughout this discernment process, my mind has been drawn to David's early years spent tending his sheep alone. This season of silence and solitude resulted in significant intimacy with and reliance upon the Lord for him. God-willing, this Lenten season will have similar results for me.
Posted in Growing in Jesus