Draw Near: An Invitation to The Season of Lent
from Dr. Mike Moses, Lead Pastor…
I often call Lake Forest an ‘experimental’ church. One of our greatest experiments is the exploration of what it means to be ‘ancient/future’ Christians. We have the future part down tight – rock and roll worship, ambient video and the like. In preparation for Easter, we are leaning into traditional wisdom of Christians throughout the ages to practice Lent.
Lent is one of the most ancient and universal practices of the Christian world. It involves 40 days of preparation for the pinnacle of our faith, which is Easter Sunday. Lent includes uncomfortable emphases like repentance, sacrifice, and submission. The historic practice of Lent does not pander to us with quick fixes or self-help platitudes. Lent calls us to discipline. Even though the season may entail “giving up” some things, worship of the risen Christ supersedes all else
See, Lent is about re-participating with Jesus on his journey to the cross. For two reasons: 1. To anticipate and celebrate the resurrection more fully, where/when Jesus paid it all on our behalf and is now making all things new. 2. To purposefully practice my own regular repentance of sin and daily victory over it in my life. This is an important journey for every follower of Jesus to undertake, and we’ll do it together. Below are answers to some questions about Lent, as well as signposts for our practice of it at Lake Forest.
In James 4:8, the LORD speaks to us saying, “Draw near to me, and I will draw near to you.” Join me in this journey of drawing near to God, join me in expecting the unexpected from God drawing near to you in return.
Your fan,
Mike Moses
Lake Forest Staff and Elders burning palm branches to prepare for Ash Wednesday Services.
Signposts for our Practice of Lent
What marks the beginning of Lent?
Ash Wednesday Service (Wed. Feb. 17, 30-min services every half hour from 4:30-7pm at Lake Forest)
What is the primary spiritual journey of Lent?
Lent is a time to intentionally travel the road with Jesus toward his death, so that we become more personally ‘dead to sin and alive to Christ’ in our daily living.
What is the primary emphasis of Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday begins the journey of Lent. Its theme is repentance and renewal. Ashes are placed on the forehead as a sign of repentance remembering that “from dust you came and to dust you shall return.”
Why does Lent emphasize fasting, prayer, and giving to the poor?
- Fasting from food is a symbol of the discipline it takes to turn away from sin.
- Prayer is the act of turning to God in dependence.
- Giving to the poor is the symbol of the virtue we are taking on to replace our sin.
What is a suggested discipline for Lent?
These disciplines are external practices that we engage in, trusting God will use them to bring greater order and permanence to our ongoing internal conversion of dying to sin and living for Christ:
- Deny yourself a specific regular pleasure or vice for the 40 days leading to Easter (such as sweets, alcohol, tobacco, watching tv, reading the newspaper, Facebooking, or ____ ).
- Replace that time with Bible reading and prayer, or use the money you save to give to the poor.
- Fast completely (except for water) from the Good Friday service until Easter Sunday, in anticipation of the fullness of life offered through Jesus’ resurrection.
Draw Near….
Lake Forest, I invite you to fully travel this Lenten Journey with one another by committing to the following:
- Attend all Lenten Services when in town: Ash Wednesday (February 17), Seder Passover Dinner (March 18), Maundy Thursday (April 1) and Easter Sunday (April 4). Details about these services will be communicated online and in the Weekly Enote.
- Deny yourself something specific over the 40 days (see ‘discipline’ above)
- Pray the Stations of the Cross in our worship center at least once during Holy Week (March 29 - April 2).
- Observe a total fast with all of Lake Forest from Good Friday through Easter (April 2-4).
- Use the period of fasting for quietness and meditation as much as possible. Prepare for Sunday’s Feast by symbolically cleaning the house on Saturday night.
- Celebrate Easter meal this year as a Resurrection Feast (tasting the new heavens and new earth), with others!