journeys-page

As I reflect on my journey for the 40 days of Lent, I am drawn back to the days I spent in my home church. Lent was an intense yet deeply meaningful time for our family and community growing up. It is like people were checking on each other to see if they were really fasting. In those early years, Lent was marked by practices of fasting and prayer. Back home, fasting wasn’t just about abstaining from food; it was a symbol of sacrifice and devotion. Lent, to me then, held a sense of reverence and discipline. It was a period of introspection and repentance, where we sought to purify our hearts and minds in preparation for Easter. The emphasis was often on what we could give up or deny ourselves during this season. As I ponder about those formative years, I realize how Lent has evolved in its significance for me, especially now as a pastor. While the traditions of fasting and prayer remain central, my understanding of Lent has deepened. Today, Lent is not simply about abstaining from certain foods, drinks, or permissions; it’s about discerning what truly matters in our lives and redirecting our focus toward God. As a pastor, I’ve come to see Lent as a time of intentional giving rather than deprivation. In our modern context, fasting extends beyond food to involve the distractions and attachments that oppose our attention. We are called to fast from the things that consume us the most – be it social media, entertainment, or excessive busyness and instead, devote that time and energy to God. Through acts of service, prayer, and ministry within our church community, we seek to deepen our connection with God and each other. As I journey through Lent this year, I am reminded of the transformative power of sacrificial love. It’s about offering ourselves wholly to God, surrendering our desires and aspirations at the foot of the cross. In this sacred season, we are invited to walk alongside Jesus, embracing the path of humility, self-denial, and, ultimately, resurrection. May this Lenten journey be a time of spiritual renewal and awakening as we draw closer to the heart of God and the promise of Easter joy. Associate Pastor, Anny Kapundu