A Season of Preparation
By Onyinyechi U.
Three crosses silhouetted at sunset by Felicia Manolache's Images Created in Canva
In many churches, Lent is a period of fasting, prayer, and meditation, a time for Christians to prepare themselves for Resurrection Sunday (Lucey). For nearly six weeks, believers give up something they enjoy as a practice of submission to God.
While my mother grew up in a church that celebrated Lent, we never actually commemorated this period as a family. Last year, however, she suggested that we give up watching television and instead spend that time reading the Bible. While skipping our favorite shows was not always easy, we soon found ourselves accustomed to a quieter rhythm. Ultimately, on Good Friday, we ended our fast, sang favorite Easter hymns, and viewed a moving film about Christ’s death.
Turning off the television provided an interesting experience, and I believe it was helpful for me to practice saying “no” to something I wanted. Of course, this process of obedience to God and denial of the flesh can be practiced in any context, not just a prescribed fast. So this year, I decided to ask students how they prepare their hearts for Easter, whether through Lent or another devotion.
Of the seven students interviewed, only one of them celebrated Lent. Zoe “gave up all secular music and short-form content.” For her, this step represents a spiritual pruning as she removes distractions from her life. In the end, this season centers around the sacrifice of Jesus, and Lent is just one way for her to “not take it for granted.”
While the other six students did not celebrate Lent, many of them had special ways of remembering the sufferings and resurrection of Jesus. Some followed traditions centered on Holy Week, such as Keziah, who reads a short devotional. Meanwhile, Cait joins her family in watching a special Good Friday video that reminds them of the meaning of Jesus’ crucifixion. Others pointed out that preparing one’s heart should not be a seasonal practice, but an ongoing action. As Ava noted, “The things I (and we!) do to prepare our hearts for Easter should be the things we're doing all the time, because we truly should be depending all the time on Jesus and we should always go back to what He's done for us.”
Before they finished the survey, I asked each student to share their reflections on the meaning of Easter. Every one of them drew a personal connection from Resurrection Sunday. Isabelle focused on the pain Jesus suffered in our place, while Harper emphasized the hope of eternal glory because of His sacrifice.
During this time of seeking God, students can develop a deeper appreciation of Christ’s death and resurrection. Ultimately, that is the point of Lent, Holy Week, and other devotions: to understand the suffering and glory of the Savior. To use Nathan’s words, it is “something to always be celebrated.”
So whether you followed a fish-based diet, skipped social media, or delved deeper into devotionals, I hope you enjoyed a meaningful Lenten season and a joyous Easter Sunday! He is risen indeed!
Columns: ✝️Spiritual Life, 🧑🚀NSA Culture
Onyinyechi U. is a senior living in Pennsylvania with her parents and one of her two siblings. This is her fifth year at NSA and her third on the Navigator. In 2025, she made her debut as an author with The Journey, a collection of Christian poems. In her free time, she enjoys listening to classical music.