A Lenten Pracitice: Less is More

By Hannah Lee
solitude.jpg

The season of Lent has traditionally been set apart by the Christian community as a time of reflection, repentance and renewal.

The Lenten resource, Less is More, is one of the useful guide to help you to walk this Lenten journey. In week one, it encourages us to spend some time for solitude.

Less Noise/ More Listening

Multi-media. Multi-sensory. Multi-tasking. We are bombarded on a daily basis with sounds, sights and smells. As exciting and stimulating as life in the 21st century can be, it can also drain our soul’s resources.

The discipline of solitude is a purposeful retreating from all the stimuli of everyday life, withdrawing to a place of quiet and rest, if only for a few minutes at a time. Practicing this discipline may seem foreign to those who are accustomed to being perpetually connected via phone, email, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. But all this connection produces a great deal of noise in our minds and hearts- and it can dull our ability to hear God’s voice.

Imagine yourself sitting next to a loved one, saying nothing. These are times when no words need be spoken. It’s enough to be together. Nothing spoken. Yet, nothing left unsaid. That’s the discipline of solitude.

What can I do?

-Find a quiet time, maybe before others wake up or after they are asleep.

-Choose a place that is good for your soul and removed, as much as possible, from the noise of the world. Create a place in your home. If you love nature, go to a beautiful spot.

-Sit in quiet beginning with five minutes and increasing as you become more comfortable.

- Breathe deeply, focusing as you start, on each inward and outward breath.

- As thoughts come, imagine a little conveyor belt next to you. Place the thought on the conveyor belt and let it go away, knowing you can get back to it when finished.

- Some people find that focusing on a word (peace, love, etc) or an image allows them to bring their focus back when their minds wander. Whatever is helpful for you, do it.

- When finished, say something like, “Thank you God, for being present in my life.”

If you are interested to get a copy of Less is More, please visit https://www.renovare.org/giving/renovars-lenten-guide.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories