Lent: A Season of Holiness
Dear Friends,
We are in the midst of the holiest season of our Christian faith as we have been walking our Lenten journey, soon to enter Holy Week, following our Lord to the cross and then to the empty tomb as we rejoice and praise God for Christ’s glorious resurrection.
It is important for us during these days of Lent to take time to:
+ reflect on our lifestyles
+ reflect on our priorities
+ reflect on our faith in Jesus Christ
+ and reflect on how we are living out our faith.
Can someone tell that you are a Christian from the way you live your life? Some people find it helpful to give something up for Lent. I’m not sure if they do it as a discipline or as an excuse to temporarily suspend a bad habit or for both reasons. I am not someone who follows this practice as I don’t find it helpful in bringing me closer to God. However, the positive aspect I find when people give something up for the Lenten season is that they realize that Lent is a time to live life differently.
A more meaningful Lenten practice that I recommend is to carve out some time during the day when you can spend time with a Bible in your hand and maybe even a devotional.
At church you can find copies of These Days and The Upper Room, two publications that provide short and meaningful devotions. After reading some scripture and a devotion sit quietly and reflect on what you read. Ask yourself how it relates to you and your life and then spend a moment in prayer taking time to actually commune with God. You may find that this Lenten practice becomes a year long practice as it brings you peace, comfort, joy and confidence.
Be sure to end the Lenten season during Holy Week by attending the worship services at The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown. Don't jump from Palm Sunday's celebration (4/17) of welcoming Jesus as he rides into Jerusalem to our Lord's joyous resurrection celebration on Easter (4/24). It is important to follow Jesus to the cross as we celebrate the sacrament of the Lord's Supper on Maundy Thursday (4/21) evening and then live through the horror of the crucifixion with our candlelight Tenabrae service on Good Friday (4/22) evening. I assure you that Easter Sunday will be far more meaningful as together we live the week with Jesus through these services.
Be sure that you do not move through this holiest of seasons as though it were just any time of year. Live as people of faith and take this time to get closer to our Lord.
See you in Church!
Nancy