Psalm 23; 1 Samuel 15:10–21; Ephesians 4:25–32
Thursday, March 12
I posted an overview of Union Gospel Mission’s 2026 Lent Devotional February 4 and am including several pieces during this season.
This week’s entry is by Dawn Humphries, Lead Pastor of Strathcona Vineyard Church in Vancouver.
Lent is a season for deeper personal and communal reflection. Some of its traditional practices: fasting, prayer, generosity and repentance, can make us feel like we have a lot of work to do on ourselves!
Reflecting on a lectionary passage like Ephesians 4:25–32, it can be easy to think Lent is about self-improvement.
Facing the ‘unsavoury’ parts of who we are: not telling lies (even white lies), managing anger, resisting stealing and guiding our thoughts and words, can feel more like a challenging to-do list than an inspiration to new life, leaving us feeling like we’ll never measure up.
But Lent is not about discipline for self-improvement, being a better Christian, or earning God’s love. It is about communion with God: creating space to be with Jesus and recognizing our need for His care.
Psalm 23 reminds us: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (KJV). When we meditate on God’s invitation to receive rest and be sustained by our God, our focus shifts from striving to change ourselves, to trusting in God’s goodness, love and care.
I remember Aesop’s fable of the wind and the sun: the wind tried to force a man to remove his jacket by blowing harder, but the man held on tighter. Then the sun shone warmly, and the man took off his jacket on his own.
Dawn Humphries
In the same way, facing our flaws and brokenness happens not through force or trying harder but through knowing the loving care of our Shepherd, who leads, restores, and gives us rest.
The disciplines of Lent bear fruit only when practiced with God, under the guidance of the One who loves us fully, knows us intimately and gives His life for all of us.
Thank You, Lord, for this season of Lent and the invitation to draw near to You, our Shepherd. Holy Spirit, remind us that we are so loved. Jesus, help us trust Your care, rest in Your goodness, release the need to control, and grow in Your love each day. Amen.
The full UGM 2026 Lent Devotional can be read here.