Rediscovering Lent: A Journey of Trust and Transformation
A Faith Shaped by Fear
For many of us, our early experiences of faith are shaped by rules, rituals, and sometimes even fear. As children, we are taught what is right and wrong, often with a sense of duty rather than love. Lent can feel like a time of forced sacrifice—giving up chocolate, television, or some other pleasure, as if suffering somehow brings us closer to God.
This was the experience of Shauna Gill, a spiritual director and retired nurse educator, who joined us recently on the SoulStream Living from Heart podcast for a conversation about Lent. Growing up Catholic, she saw Lent as a time of guilt and self-denial, a season to suffer in solidarity with Christ. For years, she held onto this understanding, shaped by a fear that she had somehow contributed to Christ’s suffering. Eventually, she turned away from the structured faith of her youth, seeking God in new places.
Her journey is not unique. Many of us, at some point, feel the need to step away from religious traditions for a variety of reasons. We throw out practices that once felt rigid, only to later find ourselves longing for the depth they offered. How, then, do we return—not to the fear, but to the beauty hidden within these traditions? How do we rediscover Lent as a season of trust rather than obligation?
A Deeper Invitation
Over time, Shauna found herself drawn back to the liturgical rhythms she had once abandoned. Through contemplative spirituality and communities like SoulStream, she began to see Lent not as a season of suffering but as a journey into trust.
Lent, at its core, is an invitation—an opportunity to walk with Christ into mystery and the unknown, not to prove our strength or ability to make sacrifices, but to recognize our need for God. It is not about what we give up, but about what we make space for.
Jesus’ 40 days in the desert were not simply a time of deprivation but a time of encounter. He faced temptation, yes, but he also rested in the presence of God. He did not enter the wilderness to punish himself but to prepare his heart. When we approach Lent with this understanding, it becomes less about personal sacrifice and more about spiritual transformation.
Shauna’s rediscovery of Lent came through simple practices: lighting a candle as a form of prayer, replacing worry with trust, and seeing each moment as an invitation to lean on God. These small but meaningful shifts transformed Lent from a season of fear into one of deep spiritual connection.
A New Way to Practice Lent
If you have ever perceived Lent as a burden, consider viewing it from a different perspective. Instead of asking, “What must I give up?” we can ask, “What might I receive?”
Here are some ways to step into Lent as a season of trust and transformation:
- Let Go of Fear—If Lent has ever felt like an obligation, pause and ask yourself: What is God really inviting me into? The purpose of this season is not to prove our faithfulness but to rest in God’s faithfulness to us.
- Embrace a Simple Practice—Instead of focusing on self-denial, consider adding something meaningful. Shauna lights a candle when she prays for someone, making her prayer tangible. Others take a walk in silence, fast from social media, or set aside time for scripture and reflection. The key is not to deprive yourself, but to make space for God.
- Name What You Cling To— Lent invites us to notice the things we rely on for comfort—whether it’s worry, distraction, or even guilt. Instead of giving up something out of obligation, we can ask, What is preventing me from trusting God more?
- Practice Community—Walking a spiritual path alone is difficult. Find a friend or a small group to share this journey with. Ask one another, “How is your heart today?” Support each other in the process of letting go and leaning in.
- Trust in Resurrection—Lent is not just about the wilderness; it is about what comes after. The heart of this season is not suffering but preparation. We journey toward Easter, toward new life, toward the deep assurance that we are never alone.
A Journey of Openness
Shauna’s story is one of openness. She once walked away from Lent, believing it had nothing left to offer her. But in time, she discovered that Lent—like faith itself—is not about rigid practices but about the posture of our hearts.
Perhaps this Lent, we can all rediscover what it means to trust. Not in our own strength, but in the God who meets us in the wilderness and leads us toward life.
Let us walk this season not with fear but with gratitude. Not with obligation, but with an open heart. For in the end, Lent is not about what we do, but about the One who calls us deeper.
As Shauna has been known to say, “Little by little, not by leaps and bounds,” may we find our way home.
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