Are you the person who prepares for an upcoming event or are you the person that just lets it happen? When it comes to vacations, once I have made a reservation, I forget about it until it's time to show up. I am not the person who plans all the things to do and see in the new place until I get there. When it comes to people coming for dinner, I am one to prepare. I like things to be nice for my guests so I plan a menu, shop, cook and clean. Neither way is necessarily right or wrong when it comes to vacations or entertaining, but when it comes to celebrating Easter, I want to prepare! I want to give the celebration of Good Friday and Easter Sunday all the attention it deserves by planning ahead. In order to do that, I need to prepare my heart to take in the magnitude of these events.
Lent is a Christian season of preparation. The word lent does not appear in the Bible but has been a Christian tradition since the 4th century. Some say it is modeled after Jesus’ 40 days of temptation in the wilderness found in Matthew 4:1-11. In 2023, it runs from Ash Wednesday on February 22 to Easter Sunday on April 9. For us, this 40-day period is intended to be a time of reflection and repentance. It is a time of preparation for both the solemnity and joy of Holy Week: the week beginning with Palm Sunday and concluding with Easter. During this time, we are to acknowledge our need for a Savior. We can admit our brokenness, our sinfulness, and the ways we have lived our lives on our own terms. We should align ourselves with the truth of the first half of this verse:
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6.
Ponder this verse. How have you gone astray? How have you gone off in your own direction? Where in your life have you set your own course? It says “we all”-- none of us are good enough. As we acknowledge our own sin, we can recognize that we can’t save ourselves.
This period of time is intended for self reflection so that we understand our need for a Savior.
Historically many Christians have fasted during these 40 days. Some of us give up something because “it’s what you do during Lent.” We give up meat, chocolate, wine, or sweets, to name a few.
Lent is a time to stop and focus on why we need a Savior and also on what He has done on our behalf. For me, many of the fasts I have undertaken through the years haven't actually drawn me closer to Him because I have forgotten to use the fast to concentrate on Him. Skipping a meal (or even meals), doesn’t do much for my walk with God if I never pause and reflect.
When you think about how you want to prepare during Lent, if you’re going to subtract something, I hope you also add in an element of reflection. When I say “No, thank you” to dessert, am I truly thinking about Jesus? This may be deeply meaningful to you but for me, if I’m honest, this has often been done with the hope of dropping a few pounds. The question is: “Am I really doing this to focus on Jesus?” I need to connect the sacrifice of saying no to something I love with Jesus’ sacrifice for someone whom He loved – me and you.
In the current culture, people often fast from social media or screen time. Again, this is great, but in subtracting these distractions, are you adding in more Jesus? With this media fast, perhaps you would consider committing an extra five to fifteen minutes of reflection to the end of your day. I am normally a morning devotional person but during Lent this year, I have added a new devotional that I plan to read each evening as well. I am going to give up television time and spend the last 15 minutes of each day with the Lord.
Most of us tend to think about fasting during Lent, but the Lenten season has traditionally been characterized by three main facets: fasting, prayer, and charity. You may wish to consider more than just fasting this year. Some people add in service projects or donations to a worthy cause. Some read inspirational books. Some focus on prayer. What will best draw you to God during this time?
Many years ago, I wrote a note each day for 40 days during Lent. I shared a note of gratitude and encouragement to people that God had put in my life. God showed me to whom to reach out: pastors, child care providers, teachers, relatives, and friends. I thanked them for their impact on my life and shared a verse with them. I told them that I was making this “sacrificial offering” because of Jesus’ sacrifice for me. An added bonus of these notes is that they really were a blessing to those who received them. I have had many comments about them over the years.
Whatever you choose to do this Lenten season, remember it is for His glory and your growth. It is not necessary to work to earn God’s favor. There is nothing you can do to make Him love you more and nothing you can do to make Him love you less. Do it because you want to experience Him more fully this season.
As you prepare for Easter and recognize your own sinfulness, also celebrate the second half of this same verse:
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6.
Jesus took our sins away. The season is all about HIM.
What will you do to prepare your heart for Him?
ABOUT THE BLOGGER
Bonnie Kotler and her husband Mitch have two daughters, three sons, seven grandchildren and three grand-puppies. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years before re-entering the workforce after receiving her M.S. in Counseling and Human Relations from Villanova University. She is a licensed professional counselor at The Peacemaker Center and her own private practice, True North Counseling. Bonnie has been on the Willowdale women’s ministry teaching team since 2012. Bible studies have played a key role in her walk as a believer, and in turn, she loves to help other women find their peace with God and grow in their faith. She enjoys writing Bible study materials, reading fiction, spending time with family and doing anything in the sunshine. Bonnie loves to laugh and considers laughter as the best medicine. Psalm 126:2
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