The Season of Lent, as you know, is a very special time of the year. It’s not just a time to give up sweets or avoid meat on Fridays, but rather a time to deepen our devotion to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Prior to the start of Lent, I prefer to spend time in quiet solitude to determine where God is calling my attention. What areas of my Life is God wanting to enter? How can I become a better witness to Christ? Are the sacrifices I’m making for Lent going to bring me in closer communion with God?
Take Note
As I read through today’s readings, several points stood out to me.
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others.”
As you start off the Season of Lent, I hope you take the above words with much caution. Don’t place so much pressure on yourself to do many different things to be seen by others, rather take the season of Lent to be seen by God.
All God wants from us is to Love him, to Serve him, and to Know him. I want to challenge you all to approach Lent a new way this year and center it around one thing, growing in relationship with God and allowing your heart to truly return to the Lord. Once we learn how to Love God and Serve him, we will also become much greater disciples for HIM.