Talking about 'Lent'

"It is a universal rule of the entire family of man, in every place and at every time, that man wants to do some great thing by which to restore himself to the favour of God." ~ Charles Spurgeon

 "Whoever wishes to be my follower must deny his very self, take up his cross each day, and follow in my steps." – Luke 9:23 

In our home there has been some discussion about 'Lent' and what it means.  How do we participate in Lent or do we participate in Lent?  I know in years past, some in our family have 'given up' something. I have gone 'without' for the 40 days in the past in observance of Lent. Today is the beginning of the Lenten Season. On FB, twitter and other social media forms, I have noticed people sharing their thoughts or even what they are giving up for Lent. It has made me ponder this practice in a more personal way. I will not take credit for the words written below. They are written by our Pastor. However, I so appreciated his perspective on Lent and wanted to share it on my blog, with permission of course. :) 

"While many people associate Lent with self-sacrifice or religious ritual, the miracle of Easter that we are going to celebrate in a little over a month is about Jesus and the freedom and life we have in him.  Lent, when properly focused should be a time of reflecting on his sacrifice for us.  Our Chrisitan life should be not about "self abasement", but about "holding fast" to Jesus (Col 2:18-19).  Our life isn't about festivals, church holidays, and elementary principles of the world, but it is about being "raised up with Christ" and is about "seeking the things above, not the things that are on earth."  It is about setting our "mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth, for we have died and our life is hidden with Christ in God."  It is about repentance and faith and hope, knowing that "when Christ, who is our life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory." (Colossians 2:20-3:4). Please, regardless of the day that it is, don't forget the words of Colossians 2:16-17: "Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day--things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ." " 
~ Steve Mansour

I am praying for my own personal sacrifice this 'Lenten Season' as I prepare myself for Good Friday and ultimately Resurrection Sunday.  (Growing up my father never said "Happy Easter". It was Resurrection Sunday and he would say, "He is risen!" and we would respond, "He is risen indeed!") I am praying God will continue the process of refinement and show me more of me that needs to go and more of Him that needs to fill me up! I want to 'live, breath, and be poured out for Jesus Christ' and yet, there is much work to be done. Praising God He is not finished with me yet. Praying I can be shown what is needed to deny myself and follow Him. Praying this season of Lent will be about taking on more of Christ and being poured out to others. "Lord, take my pride and selfishness and do Thy will!" I truly wish this to not be another Easter season which comes and goes...I desire genuine change. I know there is pain and hardship in the change. I pray I am fortified and ready. He has done a work before and will again, if I am willing. "Lord, make me willing."

Praying the Lord meets you where you need to be met this Lenten season...in whatever form that takes on. Praying the people of God will rise up and be authentic and real. Praying we can come along side each other, with humility, and love with Christs love. Praying we can reach the lost with the message of grace, hope and love this Lenten season. 

“I have come to see clearly that life is more than self. It is more than doing what I want, striving for what will benefit me, dreaming of all I can be. Life is all about my relationship with God. There is no higher calling, no loftier dream, and no greater goal than to live, breathe, and be poured out for Jesus Christ."--Jamie in Brother Andrew's "The Calling”
― Brother Andrew, The Narrow Road: Stories of Those Who Walk This Road Together [With This Road CD by Jars of Clay]

words from an old hymn...
 "Make me willing to wait patiently
for the answers I’ve prayed for so long.
Make me willing to listen to Thee
and to say “not my will, but Thine be done”.
Make me willing to thank Thee for tears
And for the heartaches that cause me to pray.
Will you make me a vessel the Master can use
Keep me willing the rest of my days.

My Father points the way to go
Then makes the way for me.
He tells me I must trust in Him
My faith will help me see.
The road may not be easy
The testing will be great
But then my Lord reminds me
That He will help me wait."