Lent begins this week. (Are you coming to our first ever Ash Wednesday service?) Here’s how Nate Huntley is recognizing this season.
Lent is a hard thing for me…and it should be.
Not that we have to make ourselves acceptable or somehow pure before God; only He has that power.
It’s about asking the question: What am I holding onto that keeps Him from doing the work in me I desperately want?
Lent is about reflection on what we hold onto that roots us in this world instead of being free in the Kingdom of God.
For me, I have been rooted in vanity. I have a deep seated desire to be seen a certain way by people. As a wise leader, a source of understanding and authority.
It may seem silly, but I automatically equate that with beards. It probably starts with my dad. He has always been a great example of one who has knowledge and understanding on just about anything, and has had a beard that would make Grizzly Adams envious my entire life.
I haven’t been clean shaven in over a year as I’ve been transitioning into the highest leadership position of my life, one where the risks are high. For around 400 days, I’ve masked my face in confidence while internally quaking.
For Lent, I’m shaking loose my roots of vanity by shaving off my beard, and keeping it off for the 40 days.
Looking in the mirror there are a mix of emotions along with the question, “Does this kid have what it takes?”.
The truth is he doesn’t, not without the powerful gentleness of God’s guidance and transformation constantly taking place inside.
That’s where I choose to be.
What about you? What is it that you’re holding onto that roots you in this world instead of being free in the Kingdom of God.
Are you giving up something during this season of Lent?
We’d love to for you to share it with us so we can pray for each other as we look toward celebrating the death and resurrection of our Savior.
