When you think of spring, you probably think of the reawakening of flowers and trees, new beginnings, April showers, spring cleaning and the Easter season. Lent, which began February 21 and continues through April 7, is a very important part of springtime. For Christians, Lent is sort of a spring cleaning for the soul, a time for serious meditation and self-evaluation, a time of self-sacrifice, and a time of drawing closer to God.

By definition, Lent is the time of preparation for Holy Week, leading up to Easter. Lent’s identity is rooted in the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert preparing for His ministry. It was a time of deprivation for the Lord. He didn’t partake of any food even though his flesh craved it, and today some Christians feel compelled to do the same during Lent. Some give up food, while others give up TV watching or another pleasurable activity.

Giving Up — A Way of Life
Faith Albano of Hillside Free Methodist Church in Evanston, IL, grew up in the Roman Catholic Church and always observed Lent.

“Being raised Catholic, I had to regularly give up something for Lent,” says Albano. “Looking back, I can honestly say that it didn’t mean anything to me. It was just something I had to do because it was Lent and you were made to feel very guilty if you didn’t do something.”

Albano left church at age 17 and didn’t find God again until she rededicated her heart to the Lord 18 years later. Today, Lent means much more to her.

“Now it’s a time when I take a good, hard look at myself — examining who I am, what I have been doing in my life, and asking if I’m using my God-given gifts and talents to serve the way God wants me to,” she says. “I also look at my relationship with the Lord and my prayer and devotional life … asking where it should be, and if it’s not where it should be, I seek God’s will and guidance to change that.”

Albano doesn’t give up anything specific such as sweets or going to the movies during Lent; rather, she gives more time to God and gains much wisdom and peace in return.

Why not follow Albano’s lead this Lenten season and reflect on God and His goodness? No matter what else you’re prompted to give up this Lent, give God your undivided attention. You’ll find you can’t outgive God … not during Lent, not ever.

Gaining Much — For Greater Meaning
As Lent draws to a close, rejoice! Celebrate Resurrection Sunday by making a joyful noise unto the Lord. You don’t need a praise and worship leader to do that; simply give your young children (or grandchildren) spoons and pots and pans to serve as drums, or fill empty soda bottles with rocks and let them shake the bottles while marching around the house singing, “He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!”

Make this Easter about more than Easter egg hunts, Marshmallow Peeps, new Easter outfits and chocolate bunnies. Sure, it’s OK to enjoy those things as long as you and your family remember the real reason for the Easter season — the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Whether you participate in an Easter sunrise service or drama, make sure you take time to worship the Father for sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross so that we might live eternally with Him. Don’t just sing “He Lives” on Easter morning; keep that song in your heart throughout the year and praise the Lord that He now lives inside of you!