Many experiences in life are better if we take the time to anticipate and prepare. Not to be irreverent, but take sex for example. The anticipation and the waiting make it more special, it adds to the pleasure and experience of the event. This waiting period can sweeten the event yet to come. I also think of a much-planned wedding, social event or vacation. It could even be the anticipation before the birth of a child or a job promotion. We don’t always appreciate what we have as much if we haven’t worked for it.
Both Advent and Lent are seasons of preparation. During the Advent season, Christians joyfully anticipate the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, while Lent is a period of solemn reflection and preparation for the commemoration of Christ's death and resurrection. Some Protestants don’t make much of the Lenten season, but I personally find it important and meaningful. Without preparation, the extent of the sacrifice on Good Friday and the true magnitude of the Easter celebration might escape me.
We are currently about halfway through Lent, the 40 day period, (excluding Sundays) between Ash Wednesday and Holy Saturday.
As I reflect on the Lenten seasons in my life, I’ve noticed they have gone one of three ways:
1.) Lent goes completely unnoticed. In my earlier years, I viewed Lent as some archaic tradition in an old-school denomination. There were many times I would hear about it at church and knew Easter was approaching but, somehow, any kind of meaningful thought got lost in the shuffle. While scripture doesn’t give specific commands about Lent, forgetting the Lord can be true in any season of our lives. I found these verses from Deuteronomy 8:11-14 convicting recently:
“Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery…”
When life is good, I can sometimes forget God. Trust me, if things are bad, I run to Him, but when life is peaceful and content, I haven’t always remembered Him. Here we are in this blessed season when we remember that Jesus was headed to the cross, and I sometimes don’t give it a thought. He did not forget us! He knew where He was headed and He kept His purposes in mind.
2.) Start with big plans for a meaningful Lenten season and then crash and burn. When I know Lent is approaching, I start thinking about how to make it significant. Will I give something up or will I add something into my life? Will I fast every week? For a day? For a meal? What can I do to make it special? I know that Jesus paid it all and I want to honor this with some added attention on my part. This usually ends up leaving me disappointed on Easter morning as I feel bad about not doing enough and not focusing enough on God during this season. As I write that, I remind myself that it’s not about me earning God’s favor. It’s not about me doing for Him and yet I often feel like I missed the beauty of the season. I’m not sure if I am worried about disappointing God or if instead I am disappointed in not making the best of the opportunity to lean into Him.
3) A slow and steady walk toward the cross. This is the “keep it simple” style and less my norm (I’m an enneagram #3 after all.) However, perhaps this is my best approach. I do not make grand plans but instead invite Jesus to show me the way each day. This year in addition to my normal morning devotional time, I simply added a Lenten devotional to my day to be read at midday or before bed. This has helped to refocus me in the midst of my day. It has been a good marker to bring me back to the meaning of the season-an opportunity to reflect on His sacrifice. I have enjoyed the Lectio 365 app on my phone and this online Lenten devotional from Biola University. This simple approach has kept Christ on the forefront of my mind more often.
Jesus gave it all on the cross so that we can be reconciled to God. His resurrection on Easter morning was the most important event in history. Because He lives, our lives can have purpose and we can spend eternity with Him. I think this season of remembrance deserves to be recognized. I want to think about what He was doing and saying in his last weeks. I want to savor the moments and experience His love and purpose. I don’t want to miss this beautiful opportunity to experience Him more richly.
The Lenten season is only halfway over. How might we pause to remember and know Him more fully?
One way could be to listen to this song by Andrew Peterson, “Remember me”, that comes from the words of the thief on the cross next to Jesus.
Luke 23:39-43
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
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