OPINION: This Ash Wednesday, discover that Lent isn't what you think it is
This season has a bad reputation. Too many people think of Lent merely as a time for intentional misery. People give up chocolate or stop watching a favorite TV show or some other form of self-inflicted hardship. But there’s more to Lent than meets the eye.
The Bible teaches us again and again that there’s always a second or third or hundredth chance to turn to God. And each time we turn to God, there is rejoicing in heaven. So if Lent helps us find our way to God again, there is gladness in our hearts and in heaven.You may wonder how Lent got to be the way it is today. This season invites us to cast aside the things that keep us from following Jesus, and to embrace those things that help us along our journey.
Lent is also about taking things on. You might like to spend a little more time reading and studying the Bible. Maybe you’ll read one of the Gospels or some other part of the Bible. Lent is also a great time to work on our habits of prayer. Scripture and prayer help us on our journey as followers of Jesus, so that’s why we might take something on.
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