Indulgence was the word yesterday, today it is repentance! With Ash Wednesday brings the beginning of the 40 days of Lent. Does this mean we roam around in somber, depressed solitude? No. In fact, we are instructed by Jesus to do quite the opposite, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.” (Matthew 6:16, NIV) We are instructed to pray in solitude (Matthew 6:5), do good things for others with notice (Matthew 6:1), fast without advertisement (Matthew 6:16), store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20), don’t worry (Matthew 6:25), don’t judge others (Matthew 7:1), pray some more (Matthew 7:7), and the list continues. In short, we are to live for this season, not get through it.
Live for Lent, instead of trying to get through it
The above list of instructions does, indeed, seem endless. There is a common denominator to make all of them achievable: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)
Love God
Spend time daily with God in prayer.
List His attributes (love, powerful, almighty, creator), thank Him for blessings, ask forgiveness for your sins, and ask for His help.
Select something to give up (chocolate, carbonated drinks, bread, gossip), and abstain from it until Easter. Do this without letting on that you are “working” on this little exercise. In other words, self control, the tenth fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22) You will master self control for abstaining, and from running your mouth and complaining about it.
Love others
Pray for other people before you pray for yourself.
As you pray for those close to you, identify one to bless in some way, anonymously, or not. In certain situations the blessing may be only meaningful if your identity is known.
“Pay it forward” for someone at Starbucks!
Gather canned goods and toilettries on your next trip to the grocery store to take them to your local food pantry.
Serve at a food pantry.
Take time to be one on one with your child in a new way.
Listen to your spouse carefully to learn something you can do to show your love and attention to him or her.
Prepare for the Party!
Smile! Although Lent is a season of repentance, it is also a time of preparation for a celebration. When you prepare for a party, I hope you do the work necessary for the event in joy and excitement. Lent can be viewed much the same way. We are preparing ourselves, our hearts, for the celebration of Easter, the Resurrection. Reflecting on the days preceding the Crucifixion are truly painful, and must be considered this way. In this pain we also now know the forgiveness available to us because of the pain He endured. For this grace we may rejoice! Here are some ways to prepare yourself:
Read scripture daily. “Daily Office” (scripture prescribed for most Protestant churches): http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/bcp/
Add an edifying habit to your routine. Read a good book, start a new exercise method, read a scripture passage to you family at breakfast each morning, park in the farthest parking spot and walk! It doesn’t have to Pulitzer Prize-worthy, just something good.
Ask God to change your will to be His will. This is the hardest one to do because you really have to mean it, and mean to be changed. Once you start asking God what He thinks, what is His will, how He wants you do do things, instead of giving Him a list to complete for you, you will notice a change not only in yourself, but how you see, and feel about everything around you.
The fun may be over in the life you lead before today. The new ways to experience the life you lead in the future will have a label much better than “fun”.
livingroyallytoday 