Journey To The Cross

What is Lent? For those unfamiliar with the religious calendar, Lent is often associated with fish fries, fruit-filled donuts, and foregoing some of life’s pleasures—whether it's caffeine, chocolate, or social media. While temporarily sacrificing certain comforts can be meaningful or good for our health, the true observance of Lent goes far deeper.

Lent begins this Wednesday, March 5th, and lasts 40 days (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter Sunday.

“Lent is first and foremost about the gospel making its way deeper into our lives.

This season is an opportunity to root ourselves in the good news that God saves sinners through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.”

Like all religious practices, observing Lent does not save a person, but as with all special seasons of reflection, repentance, reading of Scripture, and prayer, it can aid our sanctification as we intentionally prepare our hearts and minds for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection.

So, please consider how you might best prepare yourself during this Lent season. There are many things that you can do: spend time reading through the Gospel of Mark, work through a Lent reading plan on a Bible app, or use a devotional guide like Journey to the Cross.

And, if you decide to give up some things during this Lent season, consider using your extra time, resources, and energy for the glory of God and the good of others:

-Having given up junk food for a healthy diet, what will you do with the energy you gain?

-Having given up Facebook, to whom will you devote meaningful conversation?

-Having given up TV as a default activity, how will you use that time to cultivate quality family time?