What Is the Purpose of Lent?
Some call it Lent
The period from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. A time set aside to deprive ourselves. To do without certain luxuries or indulgences. To GIVE UP something.
Others set aside that time to ADD something. Like more Bible study. More prayer. More church activities. Things like that. All those are good things. But is there something better?
I wonder what God desires
Perhaps this time called Lent is not so much a time to better your life, but rather to center your life. To take a mental assessment of “Why am I here? On earth. At this very time in history. What did God have in mind when He created me/you?”
40 days
Forty days has great significance throughout Scripture. Is that why we celebrate 40 days of Lent? Tradition? Is it just a habit with no Scriptural underlying goal/purpose in mind? Does God require it? What does Scripture say?
Once I was blind but now I see
Is that the true purpose of Lent, and actually of our entire Christian walk? Why would these 40 days be any different than what God desires from us every day of our lives in our earthbound bodies? I submit that they should NOT be different days. I submit to you that what God desires is for us to SEE what is before us. To SEE what has always been there. To be aware daily, moment-by-moment of God’s presence and His voice. His word. To see through HIS eyes the creation, the people. the life He has given us.
Fearfully and wonderfully made
I am fearfully and wonderfully made. YOU are fearfully and wonderfully made. And everyone in our path has been fearfully and wonderfully made. The mean people and the nice people. He made you. He made me. ALL are fearfully and wonderfully made by our Creator God Almighty. All have opportunity to hear and obey Jesus’ invitation to “Come. Follow Me.”
Marvelous are His works!
His works are marvelous EVERY day. Not just during happy times or times of celebrations. Not just during Lent. EVERY day in every way. God does all things well. He died for me. He died for you. Marvel over that! It is a BIG DEAL! Stop and think about that fact! Make time in your day every day all day for what really matters to God. Glorify Him in your responses to the opportunities and challenges that come your way daily. Think of Him as being right beside you throughout your day. Because he IS! Right there with you!
Get to KNOW your Bible better every day
Get to know the author. Read John chapter 1 “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God…He was with God in the beginning…” And Jesus (the Word) continues to be with God. And His Spirit is with us even now…
And forever…
Make space in your head for thoughts of Him and His sacrifices. Not just His death on the cross…but consider that He actually willingly LEFT HEAVEN in order to be called a liar, a drunk, to be betrayed, humiliated, spit on, tortured, and other horrible experiences. Those who he had discipled for 3 years deserted him in his time of greatest need. Even his own family questioned his sanity. I venture to say that nothing any of us suffers can ever compare to what the lover of our souls did for you and me.
So…when the devil comes to “visit”, respond like Jesus did: It is written…
Lenten focus
Jude 24, 25 “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.”
Keep listening for the trumpet call…it could be any day now…
See you there?
Personality and Jesus
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Awaiting His shout,
Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com