“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2; all Scripture quotations are from the English Standard Version).

Last weekend, I attended a retreat with a ministry team from my church. The assistant pastor who spoke at our retreat spoke about our need to “reset, renew, refill, and refresh.”

“Reset” grabbed my attention. A few days earlier, I had referred to Lent as a “spiritual reset” time during a recorded interview about Ash Wednesday (recorded for my employer’s DEI committee, who occasionally post information on our intranet about culturally and religiously significant commemorations and celebrations).

“Reset” might be my “word of the day” for the next six and a half weeks, maybe longer.

Like millions of other Christians, I observed Ash Wednesday today by attending church and receiving ashes on my forehead while my pastor reminded me, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” This begins Lent, a season when many Christians make some kind of fast (often a favorite food, beloved hobby, etc.) to devote themselves to prayer, contemplation, etc., to seek a closer walk with Jesus.

Lent reminds us that this life is not all there is. We are preparing for eternity. I have an eternal life to look forward to, offering joys that exceed anything this world can offer. Nevertheless, most of us fill our lives with extra baggage. Over time, harmless leisure-time pleasures can become obsessions, addictions, or other problems that weigh us down, distracting us from God’s perfect will for our lives. Lent encourages us to lay aside one of those weights and redirect our attention to God.

The last few months have been hectic for me. I enrolled in my church’s seminary program to pursue further education and training, in the hope of being ordained in the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church. Twenty years after stepping down from ministry and joining my current church, it seems God is calling me back into a new level of ministry. New obligations and opportunities mean old activities may need to drift into the background (so far, I have no plans to eliminate Darkened Glass Reflections from my activities; in fact, I hope to resume more regular writing soon). Now, more than most years, I need to hit a “reset” button and begin anew.

Perhaps your situation is different, but you might still need to hit a “reset” in your walk with the Lord. Maybe you have lost your first love (Revelation 2:4) or your faith has grown lukewarm (Revelation 3:16). You might even be doing well spiritually, but you just want more of Jesus in your life. Now is a good time to cast off some of your spiritual weights. Lent is a time for contemplation, prayer, study, and confession as you seek God’s will for your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and direct your steps. You can always begin anew. Why not today?

Lord, some of us have embarked on Lent as a time of prayer, fasting, contemplation, and confession. Help us to seek Your guidance, so that we would seek and worship You in spirit and truth. May this season provide a reset in our lives that lasts beyond Easter and redirects our lives as we follow You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Are you observing Lent? How would you seek a reset in your spiritual life? Share your thoughts in the comments field below.

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