Rooted in Virtues: A Year of Spiritual Practice — this is the theme that guides us through 2025. As we embark on this year of intentional spiritual growth, the season of Lent invites us into a powerful moment of reflection, renewal, and deepening our roots in God. Lent is not merely a time of sacrifice or ritual; it is an opportunity to examine our hearts, recalibrate our relationship with God, and focus on the virtues that God desires to see flourish in our lives. As we enter this sacred season, let us lean into the virtues that will strengthen us and guide us in our walk with Christ.
The Significance of Lent: A Time for Reflection and Repentance
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, a season of 40 days (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter. It is a time to remember the suffering, sacrifice, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s an invitation to draw near to Him, to reflect on His life, death, and resurrection, and to respond with heartfelt repentance and worship.
As we journey through Lent, we are invited to deepen our commitment to Christ by examining our hearts, practicing self-denial, and engaging in spiritual disciplines that cultivate godly virtues in our lives. It's a season of repentance, yes, but it is also a season of transformation—where God prunes us, refines us, and roots us deeper in His truth.
In this season of Lent, we are reminded of Romans 12:1-2 (NASB), which says, “Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Lent is an invitation to present ourselves as living sacrifices to God, allowing Him to transform us, renew our minds, and make us more like Jesus. It is through this process that we grow in the virtues that reflect the heart of Christ—virtues like love, humility, patience, kindness, and forgiveness.
Rooted in Virtues: Lent and the Spiritual Practice of Growth 🌱
This year’s theme, Rooted in Virtues, invites us to intentionally cultivate these virtues in our daily lives. Lent provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the virtues that will ground us more deeply in Christ, and as we prepare for the Resurrection, we are called to examine where we stand in our spiritual journey.
During this season, let us focus on how the virtues God desires in us can take deeper root. The apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB), “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” As we reflect on the work of the Spirit in us, we recognize that these virtues are not merely aspirations; they are the natural outflow of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. The more we submit to God and allow His Spirit to work, the more we will reflect these virtues in our thoughts, actions, and relationships.
This Lenten season, let us commit to actively cultivating these virtues through prayer, fasting, Scripture reading, and reflection. By doing so, we will be more firmly rooted in Christ, whose life and example are the perfect model of virtue.
The Call to Repentance and Renewal
The beginning of Lent is a call to repentance—a time to turn away from sin and selfishness and turn toward God. Joel 2:12-13 (NASB) says, “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “Return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping, and mourning; and tear your heart and not your garments.” Lent is a season of returning to God with sincerity, with hearts broken by sin but filled with hope for His restoration.
As we reflect on this passage, we are reminded that true repentance is not just an outward act but a matter of the heart. It is about allowing the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and reveal where we have fallen short, where we need to grow, and where we need to extend grace to others. This is an essential part of growing in virtue—recognizing our need for God’s help, and actively seeking His transformation in us.
The Virtues of Lent: Cultivating Patience, Humility, and Self-Control
As we enter this Lenten season, we are called to practice virtues that will help us grow in spiritual maturity. James 5:7-8 (NASB) encourages us to cultivate patience, saying, “Therefore be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.”
Patience is a key virtue, especially during a season of waiting and preparation. Just as the farmer waits for the harvest, we too must wait for God’s perfect timing in our lives. But while we wait, we are not idle; we are called to strengthen our hearts—to remain faithful, focused, and rooted in Him.
Humility is another essential virtue for Lent. Philippians 2:3-4 (NASB) reminds us to “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Lent is an opportunity to humble ourselves before God, to acknowledge that He is our Savior and we are His servants. Humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less—and it is through humility that we grow in service to others.
Self-control is another virtue to cultivate during Lent. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NASB) speaks of running the race of faith with self-discipline: “I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” Self-control allows us to master our desires and align our actions with God’s will. Whether we are fasting, praying, or simply seeking to live out our faith, Lent calls us to exercise self-control in all areas of our lives.
Practical Steps for Cultivating Virtue This Lent
As we journey through this season of Lent, let us commit to practices that will root us deeper in God’s virtues:
Daily Prayer and Reflection – Set aside intentional time to pray and reflect on Scripture. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where you need to grow in patience, humility, or self-control.
Fasting and Sacrifice – Consider fasting from something that will challenge your flesh. Whether it’s food, social media, or a habit, fasting helps us to focus more on God and less on ourselves.
Acts of Service and Kindness – Use this season to reach out to others in kindness. Show patience to those around you, offer help to those in need, and reflect Christ’s love in tangible ways.
A Season of Transformation
As we enter the Lenten season, we are called to more than just sacrifice—we are called to transformation. Through repentance, prayer, fasting, and acts of service, we open ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to root us deeper in the virtues that reflect Christ’s character.
Let this season be one of deep spiritual growth, as we prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter, with renewed commitment to becoming more like Jesus each day.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, as we begin this Lenten journey, we commit ourselves to You. We ask for Your strength to grow in the virtues of patience, humility, and self-control. Transform us during this season, Lord, and help us to walk closely with You, rooted in Your love and grace. May our hearts be open to Your work, and may we reflect Your character in all we do. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Let’s make this season of Lent one of deepening roots in Christ, allowing the virtues of His character to take deeper root in us!