Greetings to you, my fellow-adventurer on the Lenten journey, in the name of The one who gives us life in abundance, Jesus Christ – THE Risen Savior! Well, it is rather a late wintry start to the day and yet…this is the day that the Lord has made for us and we need to rejoice and be glad in it. I trust that you had a good weekend and Monday with particular evidences of His presence in and around your life. I believe that this is going to be a grand week with blessings of discoveries, encounters, and divine appointments. Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to release healing for body, mind, and spirit…may He watch over your family and loved ones…may He bless the work of your hands and the steps that you take…may He strengthen you with joy!
This year’s season of Lent has been encouraging as God has revealed insights, issued challenges, and simply moved into my ponderings with a new freshness. I was asked early on – “what are you giving up for Lent?” Traditionally, part of Lent was giving a personal sacrifice as a means of identifying with Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for us. Somehow, over the years Lent has become more of what we are sacrificing and less about what He has sacrificed for us. Perhaps that is why Lent has lost the significance it once had. This process was supposed to refresh and renew our relationship with God – giving up to receive. Instead we became the focus and it got boring and tedious and empty.
As I thought of this, God sent me a Scripture passage: Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear. Matthew 11:28-30 TPT.
I believe that God wanted me to experience a new understanding of what Lent could be. I could sacrifice, share the burdens that I have taken upon myself and come to Him as my oasis in life’s journey knowing that He would come alongside to assist without making demands or obligations or belittling me. I could use Lent to draw closer to Him and experience more of His resources. Lent would give me a fresh start for the rest of the year. Lent is my time to stop talking about my sacrifice and to focus on what He has done for me
Something to ponder…be blessed!