Lent starts in two weeks. I want Lent to be a great experience for me and for my parishioners. Here are three things to keep in mind to have a great Lent.
1. Don't Do Lent to Get Brownie Points from God!
Lent is a season of penitence and extra focus one's life in Christ. Usually one adds extra spiritual disciplines during this time. Don't make the mistake of doing this to earn brownie points with God. All we are and all we have in Christ is a gift. We do Lent to grow closer to Jesus.
2. Don't Forget That Lent is About Getting Closer to Jesus!
Lent is NOT about proving that you can go 40 days without chocolate or T.V. Just going without something will not have any long term effect on your life in Christ. The reason we don't do certain things during Lent is to make space to get closer to Jesus. It is Jesus who changes us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Lent is about getting closer to him!
3. Don't Forget that Easter is Coming!
Lent is about Easter. The reason things tone down, get a bit drab and we get penitential is so we can rejoice! Easter is coming and we will remember that Jesus rose from the dead! We want Easter to be out of this world. Lent gets us ready for that.
How about you? What are you doing to make your Lent great?
Fast from fasting?
ReplyDeleteHeh - who knows, maybe someone needs to do this!
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