Lent isn’t something all Christian traditions observe, and for a long time, it wasn’t really part of mine either. But over the years, I’ve come to appreciate the heart behind it—setting aside time to remove distractions, reflect on my faith, and refocus on Jesus. It’s not about empty rituals or checking a box but making space for God to do a deeper work in us.
Think of it like a spiritual reset—an opportunity to clear out the clutter in our hearts so we can fully embrace the beauty of God’s grace. Through prayer, reflection, and even fasting (don’t worry, we’ll talk more about what that really means!), Lent invites us to realign our priorities and draw closer to Him.
So, whether Lent is something you’ve practiced for years or it’s totally new to you, let’s explore together how this season can be a time of renewal—one that prepares us not just for Easter but for a deeper, more vibrant walk with God.
WHAT IS LENT?
Lent is a season observed by many Christian denominations, marking the 40 days leading up to Easter. Beginning on Ash Wednesday and concluding on Holy Saturday, it commemorates the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness before starting His ministry. Traditionally, Lent is a period of prayer, fasting, and reflection, preparing believers to remember Christ’s sacrifice on Good Friday and celebrate His resurrection on Easter Sunday (crosswalk.com).
You may hear people tell you what they are giving up for Lent. I have heard everything from chocolate to cursing! Others may not eat any meat on Fridays.
But why?
What is the purpose of sacrificing, abstaining, or giving up something for Lent?
As I mentioned earlier, fasting is an essential practice during the Lenten season. Theologically speaking, fasting as defined as a spiritual discipline in the Bible, involves abstaining from food only (as Jesus did in the wilderness, Matthew 4:1-11), but that does not mean it is unhelpful to abstain or give up other things in our lives to make more time and space to focus on God.
However, it is essential to understand that these practices aren’t about earning God’s favor or adding to our righteousness, which is already secured through Christ. Instead, fasting and prayer position us to hear from God more clearly, tuning our hearts to His voice. They serve as tools to declutter our inner lives, allowing the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit within us.
SHOULD WE PRACTICE LENT?
Did you notice that I used the word practice instead of observe? I believe that practice involves our active, intentional engagement. We need to know why we are doing what we are doing and not just observe out of tradition, guilt, or habit.
While Lent isn’t explicitly commanded in Scripture, it offers a structured opportunity for self-examination and spiritual renewal. By participating in such seasons, we join a historical rhythm of the global church, reflecting on our need for a Savior and preparing our hearts to fully embrace the joy of Easter. Just as Advent prepares us for the birth of Jesus at Christmas, Lent is a time to look forward to Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.
If you are considering practicing Lent…
Let’s be mindful not to assume that those who don’t are “missing out” on some deeper level of spiritual soul cleansing. If Lent were essential to our spirituality, the apostles would have commanded it. (And trust me, Paul has a lot to say about adding extra obligations to the gospel, see Colossians 2:16-18). Some Christians, especially those who have left certain traditions, may find Lent more stifling than life-giving. So let’s grant them grace and not turn a spiritual practice into a spiritual burden.
If you don’t believe practicing Lent is for you…
Don’t assume that those who choose to practice Lent are just following empty rituals. Many faithful believers across various Christian traditions have found Lent to be a meaningful way to prepare their hearts, minds, and souls for Easter. The key is freedom in Christ. Lent is not about obligation–it is about an opportunity to draw closer to Jesus and enter into His suffering and sacrifice.
So whether you set aside these weeks leading up to Easter with fasting, prayer, and reflection, or you simply focus on Christ’s death and resurrection in your own way, the goal remains the same: to make more space for Jesus in our lives. That is what truly matters.
“Lent is a time for discipline, for confession, for honesty, not because God is mean or fault-findingor finger-pointing but because He wants us to know the joy of being cleaned out, ready for all the good things He now has in store.” N.T. Wright
CAN LENT HELP YOU UNCLUTTER YOUR SOUL?
Whether you choose to formally practice Lent or not, I believe we can use this season as a unique opportunity to engage in spiritual decluttering, clearing out the clutter of envy, pride, worry, discontentment, and judgment from our hearts. By doing so, we create space for the Holy Spirit to cultivate the fruits of righteousness within us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Traditionally, Lent is a time when believers give up certain comforts or habits as a tangible reminder of Jesus’ suffering and our dependence on God. But what if, instead of just giving up coffee or sweets, we focused on surrendering the things that clutter our hearts:
- Worthless worries?
- Bad attitudes?
- Critical judgments?
- Excessive busyness?
- Mindless apathy?
- Unhelpful comparison?
- Selfish tendencies?
What if, every time we felt the pull of a bad attitude or a spiraling doubt, we let it be a cue to turn to God instead? These unseen burdens weigh us down just as much as any physical crutch, and clearing them out makes room for His peace, love, and grace to fill us instead.
I also view Lent as a season for spiritual housecleaning. Just as we tidy our homes in anticipation of a cherished guest, we are invited to examine our inner lives, sweeping away the soul clutter that hinders our relationship with God and others. This intentional clearing allows us to prepare our hearts to fully encounter the risen Christ at Easter.
3 WAYS TO PRACTICE LENT TO UNCLUTTER YOUR SOUL
Lent is an invitation—not a rigid checklist, not a performance, but a chance to lean in to the Holy Spirit’s gentle work in our hearts. It’s a season to create space, to release the clutter that crowds out our joy and peace, and to make room for deeper intimacy with Christ.
If you’re wondering how to engage meaningfully in Lent this year, consider these three simple but powerful steps.
LEAN IN: A Lenten Practice to Unclutter Your Soul and Make Room for Christ
LET GO – Surrender, Confess, Release
Lent begins with open hands. We let go of whatever we’re clinging to—control, fear, distractions, even good things that have taken up too much space in our hearts. This isn’t just about giving up chocolate or social media (though those can be helpful). It’s about a deeper surrender.
Ask yourself:
- What is cluttering my soul and keeping me from fully embracing Christ?
- Where am I resisting God’s guidance?
- What burdens do I need to lay at His feet?
LISTEN TO – Reflect, Contemplate, Invite
Once we’ve let go, we quiet our hearts to listen. We tune out the noise of the world and lean into the whisper of the Holy Spirit. This might look like:
- Sitting in silence, resisting the urge to fill every moment with distractions.
- Meditating on Scripture, letting God’s Word shape our thoughts.
- Practicing solitude—whether for a few minutes or an extended time away.
This is where the transformation happens. When we slow down and listen, we begin to hear the still, small voice of God directing us, comforting us, and realigning our hearts with His.
LOOK FOR – Anticipate, Seek, Focus
Lent is a journey toward the Resurrection. Toward Jesus. He is the ultimate goal. As we let go and listen, we also look ahead—with expectation, with hope, with eyes fixed on Christ.
Ask yourself:
- Where do I see Jesus moving in my life?
- How is the gospel freeing me from fear, shame, or striving?
- What does it mean to truly anticipate the joy of Easter?
Lent isn’t about dwelling in sorrow but about preparing our hearts for the victory of the empty tomb. We look for His presence in our daily lives, His work in our hearts, and His promise of redemption.
So this Lent, let’s LEAN IN.
- Let go of the soul clutter.
- Listen to the Spirit’s voice.
- Look for the hope and freedom only Jesus brings.
This season isn’t about rules or rituals—it’s about drawing closer to the heart of God. And that is a practice worth leaning into.
A RESOURCE TO FURTHER YOUR UNCLUTTERING JOURNEY
If you’re longing for more guidance in this journey, I’d love to offer you The Beauty of an Uncluttered Soul as a companion for Lent. This book isn’t just words on a page—it’s an invitation to let the Holy Spirit do His transforming work in you from the inside out. It walks through the Fruit of the Spirit and shows how true beauty is found in a heart at peace and a soul at rest.
As my gift to you this season, it’s available at a special discounted price throughout Lent. If this feels like the right next step in your journey, I’d love for you to have it.
You can get the special discount HERE now through Easter.
Let’s walk this road together, uncluttering our souls and making space for the beauty of Christ to shine through.
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