Lent As A Much-Needed Mentor

One of the spiritual practices I decided to add to my Lenten journey this year was doing something creative each day.  I gave myself the parameters of either composing a poem or creating a piece of art. 

I've been composing poems mainly because I've not yet had time to assemble the materials I need to create artwork.  The discipline of writing a poem a day was daunting at first, but I've felt my mind and spirit open up a bit over the past several days, and the ideas have been coming quickly. 

The problem is, I've been compelled to write poems about pain, transitions, and other assorted fun topics because I've been experiencing both and more lately.  And, of course, there is the season of Lent itself, which lends itself to that kind of thing. 

As rewarding as this practice has been, I wish I could write something more cheerful.  

That feeling may resonate with more than a few folks reading this today.  Embracing our brokenness isn't easy, but if we are brave enough, we might find healing for our broken places.  

As the season of Lent unfolds, we are invited to journey inward. This sacred period is devoted to reflection, repentance, and renewal. During it, we can step outside our comfort zones and confront our limitations and the deeper truths of our lives. 

Alicia Britt Chole encapsulates this profound lesson in her insightful words: 

“Lent is a much-needed mentor in an age obsessed with visible, measurable, manageable, and tweetable increase, for it invites us to walk with Jesus and His disciples through darker seasons that we would rather avoid: grief, conflict, misunderstanding, betrayal, restriction, rejection, and pain.”

These words resonate in a world that often prioritizes convenience over character development. We live in a time where avoidance of discomfort seems to be the norm, yet within these very spaces of unease, we uncover the richness of our faith and the strength of our spirits. 

Just as Jesus faced rejection and betrayal, we, too, encounter our own trials that can feel overwhelming. 

In the biblical narrative of Matthew 26, we find Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, grappling with the anticipation of His impending suffering. His prayer — “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39) — reflects the profound struggle between the desire for comfort and the call to embrace purpose, even in pain. 

Here, Jesus models the importance of surrendering to a more excellent plan and recognizing that growth often sprouts from the seeds of hardship.

This Lent, we are encouraged to acknowledge the darker seasons of our lives instead of ignoring or rushing through them. 

Each challenge we encounter carries valuable lessons — a chance to grow, deepen our faith, and connect more authentically with others. Embracing grief, conflict, or rejection compels us to confront our humanity, drawing us closer to the heart of Christ, who understands our struggles intimately.

As we reflect on our Lenten journey, let us not shy away from the discomfort that arises. Instead, may we lean into it, trusting that there is purpose in our pain and growth in our struggles. 

Life’s challenges may seem daunting, but they are also pathways to transformation. As we walk alongside Jesus through these shadows, we may find courage, resilience, and profound insights that will help us better understand our faith.

In conclusion, I encourage you to face the hard things you may be going through. These experiences are not just obstacles but mentors in disguise, guiding us to embrace our true selves and leading us closer to Christ. 

Embrace Lent as an opportunity for growth, learning to walk with courage through the uncomfortable, for therein lies the essence of our spiritual evolution.