My wife and I were talking this week about how some of her friends are observing "Lent" this year. We have talked about it before, how others and in times past have observe lent and what they did or not do 40 days before Easter. Well, it has been abstaining everything from food, meats and sodas, to fun activities. Being saved and born again in a Baptist church, Lent has not been made on our priority list in my life. We were always taught to read your bible and pray every day.
But God has brought it to my attention this year and I like the history and information that I have found about Lent, so much to say "why not??" So I found this article from an unknown author that I would like to cut and paste here in this blog post as information for me and you. Then I will comment at the end of this post.
As I have observed Lent, the anticipation I feel for celebrating Easter grows with each passing day as it grows closer. And when I stand with fellow believers on Easter morning and declare “The Lord is risen — He is risen indeed,” my heart is bursting with the excitement of the hope within.
If you want to observe Lent this year, let me give you a couple of suggestions.
(1) Fast. Find something in your life and decide to give it up for the next 46 days. Fasting does not have to involve food (although in my life some sort of food is the most impactful), but it does need to be something that you will miss. Some people fast from specific foods (red meat, pork, chocolate, fast food, etc.) or drinks (caffeinated, carbonated, sweetened, alcoholic, etc.).
Other people give up technology (Facebook, Twitter, television, texting). Still others give up harmful or not so harmful habits. The key is to stick to it and to spend the time or effort you would have spent seeking the Lord in prayer, study, or service. You can even take the money you might have spent and give it to a cause that furthers the work of the kingdom.
(2) Study. Spend some time studying God’s Word. Maybe you want to read through the entire Bible or New Testament or gospels during these days. Perhaps you want to read a book that will challenge you spiritually. Look for Lent-centered devotions for you or your family (devotions like Journey to the Cross).
(3) Serve. Find somewhere to serve. Maybe that means serving in a ministry of your local church that you have known about but have not served in. You can also find a ministry in your community that is serving people in the name of Jesus and join in.
(4) Worship. Make sure you take time during Lent to worship God in community with other believers. Spend time singing songs of celebration. In fact, Sundays during Lent are to be days of celebration. You break your fast on those days (feast days) in order to be reminded of what is coming and what you are missing.
(5) Give. There is very little in life that can be more sacrificial than giving.
Make it a priority during Lent to financially support your local church and ministries that are doing the work of the kingdom of God.
Take the money that you would spend on luxury items in your life and give it instead to further the work of Jesus.
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Well, there you have it, fast, study, serve, worship and give. If we do these thing 40 days before Easter and afterwards, we will be doing good in our Christian life and for the Lord.
But friend, we have a risen savior and He is in the world today, The Lord Jesus Christ.
For so ever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For Christ came into the world to seek and to save that which is lost. He believes hath life, but he that does not believed shall not see life. As Lent has brought this to your attention, why not call on Him today.
God bless you,
Rev. Dan
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