Discernment. That word has kept popping in my mind the past few weeks as I prepare for the 2026 Lenten season starting on February 18th. If I’m being honest, ‘discernment’ is still a fairly new vocabulary word as it ties into my faith journey. For anyone else in that same learning boat with me, discernment is the ability to judge, but more specifically, when connecting it to our faith journey, discernment is ‘not only a spiritual gift but also a skill that can be developed through prayer, the study of scriptures, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. In daily life, discernment involves making choices that align with God’s will and reflect His character. Romans 12:2 encourages believers to ‘not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.’” (biblehub.com on discernment). 

Discernment is a heavy word when you dive deep into it, but as you can see from this brief explanation, it is imperative for any time you are contemplating your next step in your walk with God. It is fitting to think and discern as you prepare how to grow this Lenten season for sure! Thoughts circling my mind this morning include, but are not limited to, because I’ll be real, there are lots of thoughts circling up there:

• What should I give up or take on this Lenten season?
• How can I make sure it is what God wants me to do?
• How can I make sure I am doing it for God and not for myself?
• How can I share my journey and the Good News with others that I am discovering through Lent without being pious, or ‘showing off’ for myself?

As I slow down this morning with these questions, I go straight to scripture, moving between Isaiah 58 in the Old Testament and Romans 12 in the New Testament. It may not be a typical scripture pairing, but they have both been on my mind, and I’m trying to listen to those God whispers.
In Isaiah 58, the prophet speaks to the people and kings of Judah, a time when they were moving in the opposite direction they were called to: away from God and toward idols. When reading the Old Testament, I often catch myself thinking, ‘Well, what does that have to do with me? I know God, and I don’t worship other gods or idols.’ I could not be more wrong in that line of thinking, so I quickly remind myself that I have idols in my life as well, not just golden calves and gods, as they did in the Old Testament. My idols have more stealth: scrolling TikTok and Instagram more than flipping the pages of my Bible, having self-care days instead of true Sabbath days to spend with God, and talking to friends and myself about difficult situations instead of surrendering them to God in prayer. I hope you know and understand all the above actions I just called myself out on (social media, self-care, and connecting with others) are all absolutely important in your faith journey if they are secondary to your direct relationship with God. Once anything comes between my relationship with God and becomes the focus, I have to realign myself with Him.

When the people of Judah are told they ‘act pious!’ by coming to ‘the Temple every day and seem(ingly) delighted to learn all about me (God)’, it stops me in my tracks today (Isaiah 58:2). I want to stop and ensure my actions are truly sincere in growing my relationship with God, not merely hypocritical. I do not want my actions, especially during Lent, to become something that goes against the heart that God calls me to have for Him and His people, all of us. As I read Isaiah 58:6-10, I am reminded that God is calling us to put others first in our Lenten (and daily) choices. When we put others first, we shift the focus off ourselves, allowing us not only to share God’s love with others but also to connect with God.

I won’t get too far into Romans 12 today, but I encourage you to read the full chapter today if you are struggling, like I am, with discernment of your next actions, and/or Lenten decisions. I do want to highlight Romans 12:2 to remind us all ‘Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.’ 

Friends, I leave you with three questions that I’ll be diving into myself as Ash Wednesday approaches:

• What might be creating distractions from your relationship with God?
• What spiritual disciplines, acts of service, or new ways of engaging your faith are you being called to? Remember, Lent is not just about giving up things but also an opportunity to take on something that will draw you closer to God.
• Will this bring me closer to God, or am I doing (insert your Lenten decision/choice here) for myself or to ‘show off’ to others? If it’s the latter, realign your thoughts through prayer to refocus on God.

I hope these tangled, jumbled thoughts of mine help you today, friend, and you find hope and encouragement wherever you are on your faith journey. 

**This post is in preparation for the #LENT2026 blog community for #HolyWeek2026 & #EASTER2026 I discovered on the Devotional Guy’s blog. Click to follow along too!

With faith,
Melanie Drews
Paws on God’s Path