Read: Psalm 51
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:1-6; 10-12; 16-17)
On December 17, 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the Wright brothers 
made their first powered flight. The Dayton Daily News published a brief article under the headline, “THE WRIGHT BOYS ARE COMING HOME”. In the article they missed the boat completely regarding the historic first flight and told their readers, “Orville and Wilbur Wright…left today for their home in Dayton, O., to spend Christmas with their parents.”
Eventually, the momentous event would be recognized for what it was, but initially, they missed it completely!
Lent is a bit like that. Too often the biggest question we ask or are asked is, “What are you giving up for Lent?” The real question is, “How will I repent and return to God with all my heart?” Lent is about taking time to reflect on our lives and to identify places where I have let my life get away from God. It is a time to consider what practices will help me to find my way back. Where have I “left” God and slipped into spiritual mediocrity?
In David’s prayer in Psalm 51:6, he tells God, “You delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” We need God’s wisdom and the spotlight of the Holy Spirit to look into the dark places and identify where we have wandered away and need renewed passion and hunger for God. We need God’s Spirit to awaken us afresh; to warm our cold hearts.
Many of us have committed to fasting during Lent as a means to create space for the Holy Spirit to loosen the grip of sin and distraction in our lives. Few of us willingly choose to make such sacrifices. We would be happy to simply go on with life as it is. And yet, there is a deeper desire; a longing; a dis-ease with the status quo. We want more. We want to recalibrate our hearts and our lives.
And so, we voluntarily give up a good thing, that we might be led to a better thing. We fast for the sake of drawing near to God. We acknowledge that our hunger for comfort or food or security or fun is not as important as our hunger for the one who gives us comfort and food and security and fun.
As we begin the first full week of Lent, invite God to search you and know you. Ask him to lead you into resurrection life. Call on God to tune your heart to long for more of him. Ask him to break the hold of sin in your life and to set you free to pursue him with your whole being.
Lent is a serious season, but it is also a season of hope. God’s incredible love has been poured out. In the shadow of Christ’s cross and subsequent resurrection, we have forgiveness and cleansing as we turn to him. We have the hope that there is power to pass from death to life in the places in our hearts and lives where we need resurrection.
Where are the places in your life where you feel distant from God?
What has distracted you from cultivating your relationship with him more intentionally?
Reflect on what your fast or your giving up of something for Lent says to God. How can your “sacrifice” help you create more space for God and more passion for seeking after Him?
(Adapted from Lent: A Season of Returning by Ruth Haley Barton)