Lent...it means different things to different people

It's the 40-day period (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter, representing the time Jesus spent in the wilderness. Although that time in the wilderness was actually at the start of Jesus' ministry, three years earlier, not immediately preceding the Easter events.

For some people, the season of Lent passes by unnoticed. Others are very conscious of it, particularly if they've chosen to give up something, like chocolate. Every time they fancy a chocolate bar, or there's chocolate cake or a chocolate dessert on offer, they're reminded of their decision, and refrain - it's Lent.

For myself, giving up something for Lent has never been a strong tradition. After all, at any point in the year I could give up something and fast if I wanted to - that was my thinking.

A more recent idea I've come across, is that rather than "give up" something for Lent you could "take up" something, a new spiritual habit or discipline.

Over the last few years I've been challenged to think more about Lent and how to observe it, and for the last two years I've decided to have 15 minutes of quiet each day. This is in addition to my usual prayer times and patterns.

It's 15 minutes of being still.

Be still, and know that I am God... (Psalm 46:10)

I don't do anything. I don't read. I don't listen to anything. No music. Just being. Still. Allowing my attention to dwell on God.

Of course, there are plenty of things I could be doing, but I don't do them, I pause to be still. It's a choice. I choose to leave other things - good things - to be still.

Life can be full. Constant. Some might say, 'unrelenting'. When do we stop? When do we pause? When do we step aside from the multi-tasking?

I'm trying 15 minutes of stillness each day during Lent.

I try to gaze on God. A friend of mine used to say, "glance at the problem, and gaze on God"

My 15 minutes is time to gaze on God.

Be still, and know that I am God... (Psalm 46:10)

At the end of the 15 minutes, what's changed? My 'to do list' is just the same. But I hope that, perhaps slowly, I might be "transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18).

In reality, 15 minutes is no time at all. Should I make it 30 minutes or an hour a day?

Be still, and know that I am God... (Psalm 46:10)

So, have I given up something for Lent, or have I taken up something? I'm not sure. And I don't think it matters.

"I want to know Christ" (Philippians 3:10).

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Credits: Bible quotes are from the English Standard Version (ESV), and photos are via Unsplash.