Lent Is a Blessing
Time to remember that we are dust.
Time to turn back to God and eternal things.
Time to let go and let God cleanse our inner beings.
Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean,
scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life.
Tune me in to foot-tapping songs,
set these once-broken bones to dancing.
Don’t look too close for blemishes,
give me a clean bill of health.
God, make a fresh start in me,
shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Don’t throw me out with the trash,
or fail to breathe holiness in me.
Bring me back from gray exile,
put a fresh wind in my sails!
(Psalm 51:7-12, MSG)
The purpose of Lent is to draw us closer to Jesus. When we let go of outer things, we will have more space for God. The less distractions, the more real life. Hence the season of Lent is a blessing.
Lent is also a paradox: when we give up something, God gives us more. When we surrender our chaos, we receive peace. We will never be short-changed with God.
Lent is just what I need right now. How about you? What are your plans for the season of Lent?
I’ve been praying about this quite some time now. I don’t want to do something for the sake of doing something. I want to get closer to God and find ways to do that.
Finally I have come down to three things:
1) Seizing a moment with God on my knees every day. Last year I experimented this and truly felt blessed. This prayer position enhances submission to the Lord. I am looking forward to praying my heart out to God. I truly want to be serious about getting to know God better.
“When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen. “When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. “Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” God’s Decree. (Jeremiah 29: 12-14, MSG)
2) I will fast not feast. I am trusting God to show me what it means this year. I will eat regular food without any fancy extras. No cake except on Sundays (little Easters along the way).
3) I will be listening the entire Bible in 40 days. Yes. Margaret Feinberg is inviting all to read through the Bible during the Lent. I decided to listen to it because I want especially to hear the word of God. The Bible was meant to be read out loud. Because “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ“(Rom. 10:17, ESV). Why don’t you join me? I will be listening the free Today’s New International Version at Biblegateway.
I am looking forward to the work of the Holy Spirit in me.
I can’t wait to get to know God better.
I can’t wait to be fully alive for Easter joy.
Gracious God,
Thank you for this time of preparation.
Show us what things in our lives are harmful.
Enable us to let go of them.
Bless us as we seek you.
Show us how to get closer to you.
Empower us to do so.
Bless us as we seek you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Q4U: What are you plans for the season of Lent?
Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you let God work in you this Lent!
Photo courtesy of Marian Trinidad. Linking up today with Heart & Home, Unite the Bloggersphere, and
3 thoughts on “Lent Is a Blessing”
Mari-Anna, love all the things you are doing for lent, and am so excited you are joining us for the Bible challenge!
Thanks, Margaret, for inspiring all of us with the Bible challenge! It truly is a challenge but may God help us to conquer! Lenten Blessings!
wonderful bible thanks to sharing this…
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