Lent: A Season of Restoration and Renewal
Lent is often seen as a season of sacrifice, repentance, and self-examination. But at its heart, Lent is also a journey of restoration and renewal—a time when we step away from distractions, face our weaknesses, and open ourselves to the transformative grace of God.
Jesus in the Wilderness: A Model for Our Journey
At the start of His public ministry, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days of fasting, prayer, and testing (Matthew 4:1-11). This was not a time of defeat but of preparation. In solitude, away from the noise of the world, Jesus faced temptation, strengthened His dependence on the Father, and emerged empowered for the mission ahead.
Lent invites us to do the same. It is a time to step into our own "wilderness"—not as a place of despair but as a space where God can restore and renew us.
Restoration: Letting Go of What Weighs Us Down
To be restored means to be brought back to wholeness. Like a broken piece of furniture that needs sanding and refinishing, our souls sometimes need a season where God smooths away what is worn and damaged.
This restoration begins with letting go—letting go of distractions, sin, and anything that dulls our hunger for God. Just as Jesus resisted the devil’s temptations in the wilderness, we are called to surrender anything that competes with God’s place in our hearts.
What habits or thoughts need to be removed for your soul to be restored?
What burdens have you been carrying that Jesus is calling you to release?
Lent is a time to lay these things down and allow God’s grace to restore what is broken.
Renewal: Drawing Closer to God
Jesus emerged from the wilderness stronger, not weaker. His time of fasting and prayer was not just about deprivation—it was about deepening His dependence on the Father. Renewal happens when we shift our focus from what we are giving up to what we are gaining: a closer relationship with Christ.
Renew your mind through Scripture and prayer.
Renew your spirit by practicing silence and solitude.
Renew your love for others through acts of kindness and generosity.
This season is an opportunity to reset, realign, and refresh our faith.
Walking Toward Easter with Expectation
Lent is not just about ashes and mourning; it is a journey toward resurrection and new life. As we strip away distractions and seek God more fully, He promises to restore our souls and renew our strength.
May this season be a time where you emerge, like Jesus, empowered by the Spirit, strengthened in faith, and ready for the new things God has prepared for you.
In God’s grip,
Pastor Chuck Church
