Lent 2012

It is early in the morning on Ash Wednesday. For years now I have been giving up something for Lent as part of my spiritual journey. For the most part, I have kept it private. It was just between me and God. This year, I decided to share part of what I’m giving up for Lent, some things that I really love: potatoes, bread and sweets. (There is one other thing, but I’ll keep that one between me and the Lord.) There will hopefully be both spiritual and physical benefits from this exercise. Each time I feel a craving and feel deprived, I will be reminded of everything that my Lord gave up when He came down here to accomplish my forgiveness. At the same time, I will be taking better care of this temple that he placed me in for my time here on earth. It begins today.

As we were preparing the chancel area of our sanctuary for the Lenten season, we brought in a cross constructed of two cedar trees that we used last year for Lent. As you can imagine, it is very dry and the bark flakes off very easily. It made a big mess. It reminded me of the huge mess we make of the lives God has given us. We complain about the mess while continuing to wallow in it. Jesus came into this mess willingly. He didn’t come to wallow in it with us, but to clean it up for us. He took our punishment, paid the total cost for our filth and sin, and did so at no cost to us.

The season of Lent is intended to help you focus of this loving work Jesus did for you. It is not about beating yourself up. It is rejoicing that Jesus was beat up for you, and reflecting on what that means for your life from this point forward. God bless your Lenten journey.