Podcast version available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Anchor!

Let’s talk Lent. For many, it’s about cutting sugar, coffee, or Instagram. It’s about drinks on Mardi Gras and trying real hard to feel real bad about all that cussing that can’t seem to be stopped.

For me, the disciplines of fasting and Lent were not prominent parts of my faith tradition growing up.

I had only ever fasted as part of the 30 Hour Famine as a teenager, and admittedly, I cheated every time. As for Lent, I engaged in the traditions in my recent past, and did not find it particularly meaningful. Probably because my heart just wasn’t in it.

Leading up to this season of Lent, it has occurred to me that God is not a god of subtraction, reduction, decrease, or want in general.

In the Amplified translation of John 10:10, Jesus says:

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].

And this led me to an epiphany…

Lent isn’t only about what you give up through self-denial and sacrifice.

Lent is also about intentionally inviting more of God into your life as you prepare to celebrate Jesus’ death and resurrection at the end of the Lenten period, culminating with Easter.

Disclaimer: If the Holy Spirit is nudging you to give up something for Lent, I promise, you won’t get much out of Lent by disobeying that call. Doing what God asks of you is ALWAYS the right thing to do.

The prophet Samuel reminds us:

What pleases the Lord more? Burnt offerings and sacrifices, or obeying the Lord? It is better to obey than to offer a sacrifice. It is better to do what He says than to offer the fat of rams.

– 1 Samuel 15:22

With this in mind, I’ve prayerfully decided to do a Lent-in-Reverse. Rather than give something up for Lent, I will add something instead. Because although giving up something for Lent is a good thing, it’s meaningless if you’re not intentionally putting the things of God in their place.

And I invite you to join me as the Lord leads you!

What has been impressed on my heart is to memorizing Scripture.

Here’s some background on how I got here:

I’ve been especially struck by the humility of Jesus. In the Gospels, Jesus is repeatedly confronted by religious leaders who felt threatened by Him and I’m inspired by how He either keeps His cool when responding, or simply doesn’t respond at all.

Furthermore, I am so moved by the description of Jesus in Philippians 2. Paul talks about our mindsets reflecting that of Jesus’ obedience and humility as He prepared to be crucified.

Humble obedience is hugely lacking in our world today – whether you profess the name of Jesus or not! The bottom line is that we want to do what we want to do and pride isn’t going to let anyone tell us differently.

Jesus wasn’t like that. And I want to be more like Him.

Therefore, for the 40 day Lent period, I plan to carve out time to memorize Philippians 2:1-18.

If this interests you, will you join me?

Here’s some inspo to pump us up!

I adopted this phrase from podcast host, Annie F. Downs, who says:

More than I want food, I want You [God].

– Annie F. Downs

The idea is to give something up in order to get more of God. So when I’m fasting and feeling sluggish or tempted to break my fast, I pray that aloud…

More than I want food, I want You.

When I’m in a disagreement, or when my children are non-compliant, or when I feel misunderstood, I pray aloud…
More than I want to be right, I want You.

When I’m tempted to spend money on something frivolous, I remind myself to pray aloud…
More than I want to blow my money on this, I want You.

Similarly, when it’s easier to vegg in front of the TV or scroll on my phone during Lent, I hope that I will recognize and pray aloud…
More than I want to numb my brain, I want You.

The ultimate goal is to gaze upwards

Another way I would describe this Lent-in-Reverse is to gaze up, rather than down. When we look down towards our own sin, shame, and all the things we may struggle to give up whilst fasting, we can feel deflated, irritable, or morose.

Simply put, we’re focusing on the wrong thing.

And although there is a place for this as we reflect and repent, it is especially meaningful and impactful to gaze upwards at Jesus. Focus on His sacrifice, His holiness, His mercy, grace, forgiveness, love, and compassion. Be overwhelmed by Him!

So as we meditate to the point of memorizing Scripture, my hope is that this discipline will cause us to more fully appreciate Jesus’ sacrifice and the salvation He bought for us on the cross.

Maybe, just maybe, Easter will be more profound, more awe-inspiring, and more gratitude-provoking after 40 days of more of Him.

We’ll close with Philippians 2:1-18 in the NIV.

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage;
⁷ rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death– even death on a cross!
⁹ Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
¹² Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.
¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky ¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the Word of Life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. ¹⁷ But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. ¹⁸ So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

What’s in the Ears

So, are you with me?! If you prefer to memorize a smaller portion of the passage or a different passage altogether, feel free! Memorizing together is so fun and I’d love to know if you decide to join me – so send me a message or comment here if you do!

Podcast version available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Anchor!