Text: Isaiah 58:1-14
Last year was my first time observing Lent, a season I’d known next to nothing about prior to that. I was caught up in the whirlwind of its beauty, especially online. It seemed everyone was giving up something they leaned on in day to day life. Coffee and chocolate were especially mourned, but I decided that without coffee I may not make it through Lent at all.
Beautiful journals, study guides, books, and prints filled my social media. I was blown away by the fervor for this time in the life of the Church, yet in each purchase and choice that I made, something felt wrong.
Why did Lent seem like it was all about me?
Maybe you’re feeling the same things this year. Maybe you decided not to do anything because your ideas felt shallow compared to the Easter story we’re preparing for. Maybe, like me, your heart needs to be reminded that this season is not about our holy acts or intentions, but the love and mercy of our Holy God.
Part of walking deeper in our journey with Christ is learning to turn our inward focus outward—taking our gaze off ourselves and onto Christ, and onto others for the sake of Christ. Let’s take a moment today to explore what “giving up something for Lent” might look like in light of God’s Word and the “chosen fast” He calls us to in Isaiah 58.
What if we thought about:
Giving up evil practices (Judges 2:19).
Giving up violence and oppression (Ezekiel 45:9).
Giving up religious compromise (Daniel 3:28).
Giving up possessions (Luke 14:33).
Giving up words that tear others down (Ephesians 4:29).
I want to encourage you to read these Scriptures—and others!— and listen to the Holy Spirit. Where is He nudging your heart this Lent season and beyond—to shift your gaze outward onto Christ and His Church?
Would you give up your Instagram feed being solely dedicated to your life to include causes that burden your heart? Would you give up a grudge or ill-thoughts toward a friend and devote time to praying for her each day? Would you be willing to give up complacency and take a stand for your faith in a place you may not be comfortable, whether online or off, for the sake of the lost and the glory of God? Where can you extend God’s mercy to others right here where He has placed you?
Whatever this Lent season looks like for you—from devoting time to writing in a journal, to reading your children a Bible story each night—let’s allow the season to reflect the heart of the Father, the reason we prepare our souls for the sacrifice and celebration to come. We can never come close to what Jesus gave up for us, but we can draw ourselves close to Him.
Isn’t the fast I choose:
To break the chains of wickedness,
to untie the ropes of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free,
and to tear off every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
to bring the poor and homeless into your house,
to clothe the naked when you see him,
and not to ignore your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will appear like the dawn,
and your recovery will come quickly.
Your righteousness will go before you,
and the Lord’s glory will be your rear guard.
At that time, when you call, the Lord will answer;
when you cry out, He will say, ‘Here I am.’
– Isaiah 58:6-9a, HCSB
I thought about giving up coffee too but didn’t think I would make it through Lent without it either! This hit home. I finally decided I wasn’t giving anything up for Lent because it seemed like I was making it all about me. If I could give up chocolate-I’d lose weight and that’d be a plus. If I gave up coffee-I’d be able to sleep better at night. If I gave up social media-I’d have better focus on school. Everything seemed to be more about myself and less about God. So instead of giving something up, I’m picking something up. I’m spending more time in His Word. It’s not about our holy acts and intentions, it’s about God. Glad to see others can relate to this!
Amen this is exactly how I felt too. Like you said I am picking up something! More time with Him
Amen Taylor – so right!
Someone recently told me that Lent isn’t just about sacrifice but devotion. It’s about what you do with the time or money you would have normally spent on what you gave up. And hopefully you are using that time/ money growing closer to God and serving him. I though that was an awesome way to think of it!
I’m a day behind too! Praying for all those seeking asylum to protect their families. Religious freedom is such a gift
Ladies-
This has been heavy on my heart, and I've been searching for a way to share it.
This passage directly speaks about serving the poor and oppressed- which do exist today!
I live overseas in SE Asia, in a country that is flooded with thousands of asylum seekers, many fleeing from religious persecution.
Where I live, not all asylum seekers are granted refugee status, and they are forced to live in hiding- live illegally- in fear of being imprisoned or sent back to their home country, where they are being persecuted.
Before moving here, I had no idea that this was such a big problem. I'd heard of the persecuted church, those meeting in secret and dying for their faith. But I had not heard of the plight of those who were trying to protect their families by leaving everything to move to a land where they are not welcome. And the struggle is real- the churches here are trying to support our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ- but there are just so many!
Before this Lenten study, I participated in the Esther study, and before that I was doing the Sermon on the Mount study.
I'm not sure if anyone will read this- as I'm a day behind- but I feel the Lord prompting me to post- for such a time as this!
This Lenten season, as we seek to make Him our focus for life, as we seek to be His hands and feet- to be mercy to those in need- I encourage you to see how you can help our fellow brothers in sisters in Christ around the world!
I’m reading it. My heart is breaking at the thought of this. I will pray tonight for those seeking asylum. Our God is able!!!
I gave up Instagram a week before lent because I was allowing it to control me! I constantly was checking it, obsessed with strolling through my whole feed before moving on to a task or being present with my kids. My days were fragmented and missing deeper meaning. I complained about not having time but once I stopped the Instagram obsession, I found I had time but beyond that I had space and stillness in my head!!! Ultimately I allowed social media to dictate my day but giving it up has given me back more than I anticipated!
The Lord spoke to me through this! Give up griping for thankfulness!!
So true & challenging. I find it easier to give up something external than to change my internal mindset. Ultimately, it’s all about Jesus. A great season to be renewed by Him!!
Amen! I love this! “Maybe, like me, your heart needs to be reminded that this season is not about our holy acts or intentions, but the love and mercy of our Holy God.” Just like every season- I have to remind myself that it is about God because my life is suppose to be about God!
So amazing that as I prepared my heart for Lent and prayed for God to reveal to me what I should be "giving up," instead, the Lord added something for me. This is my first time observing Lent and every time I felt a nudge on my heart that wasn't what I thought I should be doing for this season I simply prayed over it, not even thinking about it. Even up until the first day of Lent, I still had no idea what to give up and then God spoke.
"You don't need to give up anything, because I already gave up everything. I gave up myself, as a sacrifice for your sins and the sins of the world, so that you can be free. Be free, living your life with me. Instead, I want you to dig deep and learn what the true meaning of Lent is. Preparing your heart for the day of my return, by spending each day with me. Knowing me. My love. My mercy. So that even after the Lent season is over, you would continue to spend that time with me until the day of my second return where I will call you home. Then you will know the depth of my sacrifice for you."
Amen! Hallelujah!! I am beyond blessed that He allows me to know Him on such a deep level. I am truly out of words, but just want to say Thank you, Jesus! ..and thank you ladies that I get to share this amazing journey with all of you!