by Rev. Dr. Dezo Schreiner

Lent is a season of prayer.

It is a season of repentance, listening, and renewed obedience. It is a sacred season in the life of the church–a time when we slow down and intentionally turn our hearts toward God.

For some of us, Lent means giving up chocolate. For others, it may mean stepping away from social media, turning off the constant buzz of our phones, or loosening the grip of habits that quietly control us. But at its heart, Lent is not about what we give up. It is about who we are becoming.

This year, we are journeying together through a season of discerning God’s call. And when we talk about calling, we often ask the individual question: “What is God calling me to do?”

But the church is not just a collection of individuals. We are the Body of Christ. So this season invites us to ask a deeper and more transformative question: “What is God calling us to become together?”

That kind of spiritual discernment begins with something simple–and yet incredibly difficult in our distracted age:

Reflection.

The Power of a Solitary Place

In Mark 1, we find Jesus at the height of activity. He had been teaching in the synagogue, casting out unclean spirits, healing Simon’s mother-in-law. Word spread quickly. Mark tells us, “The whole city gathered at the door.” The sick came. The suffering came. Those desperate for hope came.

It was a full day of ministry. A full day of need. A full day of people.

And then we read this:

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went to a solitary place, where He prayed.” (Mark 1:35)

Before another crowd formed.
Before another demand arose.
Before the next decision had to be made.

Jesus withdrew to pray.

Prayer was not an occasional spiritual exercise for Jesus. It was the center of His relationship with God. We see Him withdraw after healing crowds (Luke 5:16). We see Him pray all night before choosing the disciples (Luke 6:12). We see Him in the Garden of Gethsemane before the cross. We even hear Him praying from the cross itself.

Jesus intentionally stepped away from noise to listen for the voice of God.

And that is our invitation during Lent.

“Everyone Is Looking for You”

When the disciples finally found Jesus, they said, “Everyone is looking for You.”

Doesn’t that sound familiar?

Our phones buzz constantly. The news cycle never stops. Social media never sleeps. Expectations come from every direction–family, work, community, church.

The world is always saying:
“Fix this.”
“Respond to that.”
“Help me with this.”
“We need you here.”

“Everyone is looking for you.”

But notice this: Jesus did not withdraw to avoid people. He withdrew for clarity.

When He emerged from prayer, He said:

“Let us go somewhere else–to the nearby villages–so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” (Mark 1:38)

Prayer clarified His purpose.

He did not let urgency determine His direction. He let communion with God determine God’s mission.

And if Jesus needed that kind of intentional prayer life, how much more do we?

Why Lent Matters in a Distracted World

If there were ever a time when reflection was needed, it is now.

We are living in a distracted world. A digital world. A noisy world.

The spiritual discipline of silence and solitude feels almost radical today. But Lent invites us to do something countercultural: step away.

Not to escape responsibility.
Not to avoid people.
But to hear God clearly.

We cannot discern God’s will if our lives are filled with constant noise.

Reflection creates space for God to speak.

Maybe that means waking up early. (I will confess: I am not naturally a morning person. If prayer only worked before sunrise, I might never pray!) But thanks be to God, prayer is not limited to one time of day.

Jesus prayed in gardens. On hillsides. In lonely places. In moments of deep suffering.

The point is not when or where.
The point is that we make space.

For forty days, Lent slows us down so we can examine our hearts, confess where we have drifted, and realign ourselves with God’s purpose. Lent is not about guilt or shame. It is about spiritual growth. It is about realignment.

A Call to Become Something Together

As we conclude Black History Month, our reflection must also stretch outward. Discernment is not only personal–it is communal.

How is God calling us to participate in the ongoing work of justice, reconciliation, and dignity for our Black siblings and for all minorities? How are we called to move from singing “We Shall Overcome” toward living as people who can declare, “We Have Overcome”?

This is not a question to answer quickly. It is a question we carry into prayer.

Who are we called to become as a church?
What kind of beloved community are we shaping?
How are we embodying Christ’s love in our city?

These are not strategic questions first. They are spiritual questions.

And spiritual questions require spiritual practices.

Where Hope Begins

When we slow down, we begin to see clearly.

We see where our priorities have drifted.
We see where repentance is needed.
We see where God might be leading us into unfamiliar territory.

And that can be frightening.

But reflection is also where hope begins.

In the quiet, God reminds us:

You are beloved.
You are forgiven.
You are called.

Lent is a call to reflection.
A call to prayer and fasting.
A call to spiritual renewal.
A call to discernment–not just about what we should do, but about who we are becoming together.

So this week, I invite you:

Find a quiet place.
Create intentional space for prayer.
Listen before speaking.
Reflect before acting.

When the church learns to listen together, we begin to discern God’s call together.

And perhaps we will discover not only what God is calling us to do—but who God is calling us to become.

Amen.

Summary Q&A

What is the purpose of Lent?
Lent is a season of prayer, repentance, and spiritual reflection. It helps us realign our hearts with God and prepare for renewed obedience.

Why did Jesus withdraw to pray in Mark 1:35?
After a busy day of ministry, Jesus stepped away to a solitary place for prayer. He sought clarity and communion with God before continuing His mission.

What does “Everyone is looking for you” mean for us today?
It reflects the constant demands and distractions of modern life–social media, work, expectations. Lent invites us to step away from that noise.

What is spiritual discernment?
Spiritual discernment is listening for God’s guidance through prayer, reflection, and community. It helps us understand both our purpose and identity in Christ.

Is Lent about giving things up?
Not primarily. While fasting can help reduce distractions, Lent is ultimately about spiritual growth, renewal, and becoming who God calls us to be.

What is God calling us to become together?
A beloved community shaped by prayer, justice, compassion, and faithful obedience–reflecting Christ’s love in our city and in our world.