The season of Lent is upon us but the question i often hear is, what is Lent? Here are a few basic thoughts on Lent that might answer enough questions to peak your interest, in searching out more information, on your own and maybe even “celebrate” Lent this year.
Lent, is a period of 40 days beginning with Ash Wednesday and ending on Resurrection Sunday. Ashes are used as a symbol of remorse and repentance for sin. It is placed on ones forehead in the form of a Cross to remind us of Jesus love and forgiveness. It marks the start of the 40 days of Fasting, Service, Prayer, and Seeking God in deeper ways culminating with the victory of Resurrection Sunday.
The 40 days are meant to be a period of seeking Jesus for a refreshing. It is based on Jesus, following His baptism, in which He was then led into the desert by the the Holy Spirit for 40 days. He fasted and prayed and sought what many believe was the mental and physical preparedness, focus, needed for His earthly ministry resulting in the cross, death and of course resurrection.
Revealing to us that we need to spend time alone with God for the same thing. We are called to die to ourselves and live for Christ. We are called to be light in a dark world. We are called to love the loveless. We are called to love mercy, do justly and walk humbly with our God.
Fasting doesn’t have to be food but it can be, it can also just be a meal a day, it could be fasting from meat, or soda, or coffee. It can also be refraining from electronics, TV, video games etc. Traditionally fasts can be broken on Sunday’s during the 40 day period. The point of the Fast is to focus our minds and hearts on Jesus to draw near to Him knowing that He will draw near to us.
For more on Lent go here: LENT
You are Loved,
cj
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