Living Lent

Many of us are trying to catch a breath after the past few years of a pandemic that has shattered and taken lives.  The Lenten season comes during a time of war that points to our own personal war.  When hope appears to weaken with the headlines of the world and the headlines of our story, we need to turn to the only One who can make a difference in either.

The beginning of the Lenten season can shake the dead of winter right out of our heart if we create space for new life. New growth brings new hope. Ash Wednesday is about death – dying to self – and living lent, the hope we have in the cross. A great place to be for the next 40 days is in the gospel of John.  I met Jesus right there when He was waiting to be known by name  . . . by someone who didn’t have a clue to the mystery of His beauty.

Draw close to God and he will draw close to you.  James 4:8

We hear many say what they’re doing or giving up for Lent. Just stop.  In the stillness. The  beautiful collision of gospel and grace leads to the sacred recognition of what our Savior has done for us, not what we can do for Him by giving up chocolate or coffee. May we add-to rather than the to-do.  Add a bit of holy space to fit Jesus into your war-weary soul and wilderness because He’s the one who came to restore and transform the parched.

Whatever way you get there from ashes to lilies, may it be personal, fruitful and life-changing.  It helps to journal and rock self to calmness with the sweet sound of praise music (attached What a Beautiful Name).

And may you meet Jesus by name in the pages of John.

The Word (1:14); God (1:1); Lamb of God (1:29); Messiah (1:41); Bridegroom (3:29); Living Water (4:10); Savior of the World (4:42); Prophet (6:14); Bread of Life (6:35); Light of the World (8:12); Door (10:9); Good Shepherd (10:11); Resurrection and the Life (11:25); The Way (14:6); True Vine (15:1).