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Hopefully when this article is published, March will be heading out like a lamb, or so the old saying goes. We will usher in April with its showers and then May with its flowers... ok, I'll stop with the adages.
This is a very special time of year for me. Yes, it's springtime, but more importantly it's the Lenten season, leading up to the celebration of our resurrected Lord Jesus!
The word "lent" brings ideas of giving up something (usually something we really love to eat) and Friday fish dinners. But you know many Christians who attend church regularly may not even know why they observe lent. What's that? You would love to learn more about lent too? I am happy to oblige.
Lent is a period of 40 days before Easter which represents the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness fasting and praying. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy (or Maundy) Thursday. It is a time when Christians spend additional time praying, fasting and giving to those in need. Which is, in my opinion, something we should be practicing all year, but I digress.
We can also think of it as a time of relationship, repentance and reflection.
Let's begin with relationships. There is no better time than right now to begin or deepen a relationship with Jesus Christ. He is waiting for each of us to seek him (reading Finding Faith articles is a great start!) and ask him to be Lord of your life. If you've already done that, congratulations!
Perhaps then it is a time to deepen that relationship with Jesus by spending time with other Christians, attending a Bible-based, Christ-centered church and focusing on discipleship.
Next is repentance. It sounds like such an old-fashioned word, yet it is as important today as it was when the Bible was written! Repentance is turning from sin (for you folks just tuning in, sin is disobedience to God's word), asking the Lord for forgiveness and striving to avoid it in the future. Jesus said in Luke 5:32, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Let me tell you, that is good news for those of us who don't always get it right. Yep, even pastors. If we are to follow Jesus, we must turn from all sin.
Now, let's look at reflection. Lent is a great time to reflect on our walk with God, and ask ourselves these questions: Am I spending time learning about God each day? Am I spending time in prayer, talking with the Lord? And just as importantly, am I listening? Am I living a life of service and charity?
Of course you may add your own reflective questions to mine. If you decide to spend this time preparing in true Lenten fashion, I promise, Resurrection Sunday on April 20 will provide a much deeper understanding of our risen Savior.
Let's get started!
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Finding Faith is written by area pastors. This week's column comes from Pastor Sue Wilson Radel of Forest Baptist Church.