Have you ever experienced times of testing? Times when precious people or possessions are taken away? Times when your faith in God is stretched? Times when it feels like God is completely realigning your priorities?
If your answer is yes, then you’re in good company.
Let me explain.
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Easter is early this year, which means Lent has already arrived.
Lent is the 40 day period, leading up to Easter, when we are invited to free up time for God, by fasting from something that usually takes up our time – preferably something costly, something that feels like a sacrifice, something whose absence we will notice.
As the minister of my childhood church would often say: “We’re not called to starve and work. We’re called to fast and pray.”
In other words, when we abstain from something through fasting, it’s meant to free up our time for prayer. (So if we’re fasting from something that isn’t actually freeing up time to pray, then we might have missed the point!)
It means that Lent is about a purposeful reordering of our priorities. It’s about intentionally pressing pause, in the midst of life’s busyness. It’s about reflecting, repenting and getting into right relationship with God; then enjoying his presence. It’s about journeying with Jesus, in the lead up to Easter, when we will be remembering his death and resurrection
But there’s also special significance in the fact that Lent lasts for 40 days …
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There are several significant events in the Bible that involve either 40 days or 40 years:
Jesus was led into the wilderness for 40 days and nights. During this time, he was tested and prepared, through fasting, prayer and temptation. Then, when he emerged, he entered into public ministry (Matthew 4:1-11).
The Israelites were led into the wilderness for 40 years, after their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. During this time, they were tested and prepared, before eventually entering the Promised Land (Numbers 14:33).
There were 40 days of rain after Noah entered the ark (Genesis 7:12). Elijah journeyed for 40 days to reach Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8). Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai, without eating bread or drinking water, receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28). And God, through Jonah, gave Ninevah 40 days to repent (Jonah 3:4).
In all of these instances, the people involved were being tested – but they were also being prepared.
For each of them, there was a direct link between their 40 days (or 40 years) and what was coming next
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So let me ask you this:
Could it be that God has designed the 40 days of Lent as a time of testing and preparation?
Could it be that the discipline of 40 days of fasting is meant to be testing us? Could it be that, in giving up something we love in order to free up time for God, he is testing our priorities? Could it be that we emerge from Lent this year with diaries that are better balanced?
And could it be that the discipline of 40 days of more purposeful prayer is meant to be preparing us? Could it be that, as we press into God in a more intentional way in prayer, he is preparing our hearts – not just for Easter, but also for what lies beyond? Could it be that we emerge from Lent this year with a better sense of what God wants for us next?
I don’t have definitive answers to these questions, but I think it’s good to be asking them!
As ever, constructive comments are welcome below.
Also, I have written about testing elsewhere on this blog, which you might be interested in reading: ‘Why does God allow us to be tested?‘ and ‘How do you handle tests and trials?‘
(Please note: This is my ‘thought for the month’ reflection for February. You can find all my ‘thought for the month’ reflections here.)
Photo by Wesley Tingey via Unsplash
