Embracing Discomfort in Order to Really Live

Returning to the Deep Traditions of Lent: A Call to Self-Reflection and Alignment

Lent is not just another season on the Christian calendar. It is an ancient and intentional time of self-reflection, repentance, and realignment with God. But let’s be honest—many have abandoned its deep traditions, treating it as optional or reducing it to a shallow exercise in temporary self-denial. Have we drifted so far from the wisdom of the Church that we no longer see the necessity of what was once foundational?

Traditions are not chains that bind us; they are roots that ground us. When practiced with intention, they connect us to our biblical identity, keeping us tethered to the truth in a world that pulls us in every direction.

Lent and the Biblical Call to Return

Throughout scripture, God repeatedly calls His people to return to Him:

"Even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." (Joel 2:12)

Lent is precisely this—a call to return, to examine our hearts, to mourn the sin that separates us from God, and to embrace the grace that restores us. Fasting, prayer, and repentance are not relics of the past; they are the means by which we reorient ourselves to the presence and power of God in our lives.

Jesus Himself modeled these disciplines. Before stepping into His public ministry, He fasted for forty days in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-2). If Christ, the Son of God, saw the necessity of such preparation, how much more should we?

Alignment: Not Just Personal, But Communal

Lent is not a solo endeavor. It is a season for the Church—the body of Christ—to walk together in unity, seeking renewal not only individually but corporately. The early Church understood the power of shared devotion:

"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." (Acts 2:42)

Lent is a time to realign with this reality, to remember that our faith is not an isolated journey but a communal one. When we engage in fasting and prayer together, we remind one another of our shared need for God and our commitment to follow Christ with our whole lives.

Will You Return?

This Lent, I challenge you—don’t treat it as an obligation or a spiritual challenge to see how much willpower you have. Instead, let it be what it was always meant to be: a sacred invitation to return, to realign, and to remember who you are in Christ.

Engage the deep traditions. Fast and pray. Seek God’s presence in a way that stretches you beyond comfort. Open your Bible and let the Word shape you. Gather with others and walk this season together.

Tradition is not the enemy. Forgetfulness is. Return to the deep things. Return to God.

Join Us: Exploring Discipleship Through the Gospel of Mark

This Lent, we invite you to join us in our study of the Gospel of Mark as we explore what it means to be handcrafted as disciples of Jesus. Too often, we have settled into the idea that discipleship is a “one size fits all” process, but Jesus called each of His followers uniquely, shaping them according to their journey with Him.

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)

Discipleship is not about fitting into a mold but about being shaped by Christ’s hands. As we walk through Mark’s Gospel, we will rediscover what it means to be molded by the Master Potter, learning to serve, to trust, and to walk in His ways.

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." (Mark 1:17)

This is your invitation to dive deeper, to set aside distractions, and to embrace a season of transformation. Will you take the journey with us?

This Lent, will you truly return?

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