Lent

Lent will soon be here.  For some that means ashes, fish, and giving up of something you love for period of time.  Why?  What is lent?

Lent is the period of time between Ash Wednesday and Easter.  It is the 40 day period (not counting Sundays) prior to Easter.  It is to commemorate the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert.  He was fasting and being tempted by the devil. 

The purpose of Lent is to set aside a time for reflection on the the sacrifice Christ made on your behalf.  Time to think about His life, suffering, death, burial, and resurrection. 

Lent is about a heart change or a refocusing of priorities.  To some, it is just a ritual.  It is what they’ve always done.  If you approach it as a ritual or a tradition, it will have little to no meaning to you at all.

This year, look at Lent as a time to regenerate your spirit.  A time to strive to know Jesus better.  Make an effort to reflect, repent, and pray daily as a way to prepare your heart for Easter. 

Should you give up something for Lent?  Is there anything that giving it up would cause you to focus more on Christ?  Is there anything that you desire more than you desire God?  Is there anything that if you gave it up, would cause you to pray more?  It’s really about making God your focus.  That may mean giving something up like meat, chocolate, coffee.  It also may mean giving up TV and using that time to study the Word.  It may mean giving up 15 minutes of sleep so you can get up earlier and spend time in prayer.

Give some serious thought to what you can do for 40 days that will enhance your relationship with Christ.  Whatever you choose to give up, do it for the right reasons and with the right motives.  It’s not about you, it’s about Jesus.

Prayerfully consider how you will enter this Lenten season.

Here are some ideas of things to give up, and not just for the next 40 days but for the rest of your life.  Give up…..

• Fear – God loves you.  In Christ, you are more than a conqueror.  (Romans 8)
• Envy – Your value is not in what you have, but in who you are. 
• Bitterness – without holiness no one will see the Lord.  (Hebrews 12)  Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving.  (Ephesians 4:21-32)
• Blame – Take responsibility for your actions. 
• Gossip –  “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth …”  (Ephesians 4:29)
• Doubt – Believe that the God that created the universe loves you with an everlasting love and has a plan for you that is beyond anything you can imagine.
• Pride – “Blessed are those who are humble.”  (Matthew 5:5)
• Worry – God is in control.  “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:7

What would you add to this list ….

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