Permanent Life Change…
(from February 17, 2010)
Today marks the start of a 40 day journey to Easter, the Lenten season. Now if you are like me you’re saying – “wait a minute, there are 47 days till Easter.” And I would respond with, “You’re right, but the Sundays are not counted.” Why? Honestly, I just don’t know….
But I do know that the season of Lent is a journey of reflection and preparation towards Easter… A time of public penitence to say your sorry for your wrong doing and sinning against God. A time for self-sacrifice as you journey with Jesus and relive His journey to the cross.
Originally Lent was a period derived from the preparation of new Christ followers as they prepared for Christian baptism, with the 40 day period reflecting several things: Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness; Moses’s stay on Mt. Sinai; the forty years of wilderness wandering; and Elijah’s fast on his way to the mountain of God. Today it is this and more.
I want to invite you to take a 40 day journey with me. While we should focus on God and the cross of Christ all 365 days of every year – I want you to join me in making the next 40 days a start towards a new way of living!
Someone once told me that if you start with a positive thought – that will lead to a positive decision – a positive decision will lead to a positive habitat – and a positive habit will lead to a positive character. That is lent….starting with a decision to think as God would have you to think and then ending with a character that Jesus would want you to have.
Here is the key…
It doesn’t end after 40 days – Lent is just the beginning. Lent is the start of a permanent life change.
You will hear many people say they are going to give up this or that for Lent – but then they will turn around and pick it back up after Easter. That’s not the point of this journey. The point of this journey is permanent life change…
So, as I (and you) look at the next 40 days and begin to prepare our hearts for Easter ask yourself what you need to repent of, let go of, sacrifice, and/or change in your life…
Until next time….
Pastor Barry
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