Challenge Accepted!

Barney from How I Met Your Mother shouldn't be our Model for Lent.

“Challenge Accepted!” he often declares to no one in particular. Some of my favorite moments in this sitcom are when Barney takes on ridiculous and impossible challenges that no one actually challenged him to do.

That reminds me of how we Christians sometimes try to "win" Lent. If we do or don't do the thing we promised God that we would or wouldn't do all Lent, then we think it's a successful Lent. I fear that we place too much of a burden on ourselves and not enough on God. We must allow Jesus to be both author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2).

This is what it must feel like to be a fitness trainer in January: a bunch of people trying something new with no idea on how to do it, expecting to succeed solely based on their overwhelming strength of will power. The concepts of careful planning, healthy pacing, attainable goals, and communal accountability are often overlooked in both of these start new phases. 

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things.
–1 Timothy 4:8

I would like to caution our exuberance and channel some of the zeal that many of us bring to this Lenten season. In this modern age of "get ripped quick" workout videos, I wonder if we somehow believe we will be spiritually jacked by Easter. 

Instead, let's make more modest attempts at spiritual disciplines and give ourselves room and grace to fail. So, here's a few tips to get your Lent started off with a more sustainable approach.

First, if you haven't tried picking up a new disciple of engagement and action during Lent I can't recommend it more strongly (we often focus on the disciples of abstinence like fasting). Instead of giving something up, try doing something new. Serve with a local homeless ministry. Spend a day a week doing an act of random kindness. Hang out with some friends over a few beers and talk about what Jesus is doing in your life. Tell a new person each day something encouraging. 

Second, if you miss a few days, don't sweat it. Start afresh and don't let Satan beat you down with guilt. Also, it is never a bad idea to first try something a few times a week. Daily habits take serious discipline. 

Finally, have fun! There's tons of different disciplines to try. Many of them don't have to meditative or super introverted—that’s great news for extraverts! Here's a quick list from Dallas Willard:

Disciplines of Abstinence:

Solitude, silence, fasting, frugality, chastity, secrecy, & sacrifice

Disciplines of Engagement:

Study, worship, celebration, service, prayer, fellowship, confession, & submission