Shortreads
Change and Rest // Dust No. 12
Siang-Yang Tan
How the practices of Lent transform us
In this installment of Dust, Psychologist and Pastor Siang-Yang Tan offers insight on those elements of Christian devotion and practice that can induce change.
The Table: How can the celebration of Lent change us?
Tan: Lent is a season in the Christian calendar when we specifically focus on Christ’s sufferings and going to the cross to die for our sins as we prepare for Good Friday and eventually celebrate and rejoice in Easter Sunday and His Resurrection. It is usual to practice some spiritual discipline such as fasting (eg., from food or from TV and the Internet) so that we can have more time to focus on the Scriptures and meditate on Christ’s sufferings and death and resurrection for us. It is also a good time to engage in deeper self-examination and repentance from sin, with greater surrender to the Lord. This should all be done with love and gratitude and worship for the Lord and not with penance in order to earn His favor or blessings. We can therefore be changed into deeper Christlikeness as we take time to fast, to be in solitude and silence, with prayer and meditation on Scriptures, thus entering into greater union and communion with Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Table: What are you giving up or taking on for Lent?
Tan: I have decided this Lent to slow down more and give up watching TV at night and also refrain from buying books and viewing Amazon.com! I will also be on a three month sabbatical from Fuller as well as my church from April to June which will free up more time to spend in solitude and silence, and in prayer and meditation on Scriptures, focusing on Christ and His love and sufferings for us, and deeper surrender to Him. I will also be taking some time for personal retreat as well as a retreat with my wife to seek the Lord and His guidance for our future. I am looking forward to a time of rest and renewal in Him.
CAN PSYCHOLOGY BE CHRISTIAN?
Click here to listen to a CCT Conversation between Eric Johnson and Siang-Yang Tan on Christian Psychology.
