Lent: Making room to Bloom
When I first found Jesus, I thought Lent was just a spiritual endurance test. I decided to give up chocolate, which seemed like a good idea until I realised my Alpha Course provided sweet treats every single week. I failed miserably.
Through that "fail," I learned a life-changing truth: Lent isn't about what you give up; it’s about who you’re making room for. Beneath the traditions and the rules, Lent is a 40-day invitation to prepare our hearts for the miracle of Easter. It’s a season of testing and transformation; mirroring Jesus’ own 40 days in the wilderness.
The Heart of the Season
If we want to "Bloom & Grow," we have to look at the soil of our hearts. Lent invites us into four specific rhythms:
- Preparation: Setting our hearts, minds, and souls toward the death and resurrection of Christ.
- Repentance: Identifying the things that distract us from quiet time and Scripture, then turning back toward Him.
- Reflection: Taking an honest look at our habits, our faith, and our current path.
- Renewal: Clearing out the clutter to allow God to do something brand new in us.
Distraction vs. Devotion
Jesus relied on prayer and fasting as His anchor. Often, we abstain from things like certain foods, but we ignore the things that actually act as barriers between us and God.
I once heard, "If you can’t fast from something, it’s an idol." It’s a tough pill to swallow, but it’s a necessary question: What has been taking up more space in my heart than it deserves? * Overcommitment: Is your diary so jammed that you’re burning out?
- Materialism: Are you depending on worldly security instead of God?
- The "Pretty" Packages: Distraction often comes wrapped in a bow—entertainment, social media, or even being "busy" in ministry.
Like a Venus flytrap luring a fly with sweet honey, these distractions can trap us in cycles that lead away from life. As someone nearly two years sober, I know I used alcohol to numb and self-medicate. Fasting from those "numbing" agents provides the mental and spiritual clarity needed for it to be just you and Him.
Practical Ways to Create Space
You don’t need to be perfect to start. Here are a few ways to lean in:
- The First 20 Minutes: Before you check your phone, sit in silence. Speak to Him and meditate.
- A "Bedtime" for Technology: Try giving your phone a bedtime (like 9:00 PM) to ensure your last moments of the day are spent in peace.
- The Bible in a Year: If you’re new to the Word, I highly recommend Nicky and Pippa Gumbel’s Bible in a Year app. It’s 20 minutes of scripture and wisdom daily.
- Prayer Walks: Move your body while admiring His creation.
- Modified Fasting: If food fasting isn't healthy for you, try a day a week without social media or caffeine.
Bringing the "Mess" to the Surface
What are you avoiding bringing to God because it feels unresolved or uncomfortable?
Part of our journey (sanctification) is the Holy Spirit’s gentle conviction. If you feel a change of heart toward certain habits, the content you consume, or how you speak - don't run from that discomfort! That is God sculpting you.
Remember: There is no "perfect Lent." You can start late. You can skip a day. God’s grace isn't earned through consistency; it’s a gift. The woman at the well reminds us that Jesus meets us in our mess, not after we’ve cleaned it up.
From Winter to Spring
Lent is preparation, not punishment. It is a surrender that leads to renewal. Just as we move from the death of winter to the life of spring, we use these 40 days to die to ourselves so we can rise with Christ.
In this season, may you find that when you clear the weeds of distraction, hope begins to bloom quietly. 🌱
Why trust us?
Bloom & Grow was founded by a girl who loves Jesus, spent her 20s going sober, and is on a real healing journey — chasing dreams, building faith, and thriving. If I can do it, so can you.
With love,
Bloom & Grow
@wearebloomandgrow