Here is my question for the people who ‘do’ church professionally:  Is it wrong to love Lent?  I for one do and I am just wondering how much that contributes to my weird quotient.  If there is a church professional out there reading this newsletter - I would love your answer.

Now some may think of Lent as a time of ‘heavy’ devotion with an increased emphasis on piety and acts of devotion.  Marathon prayer and ways to seek spiritual enlightenment are sought.  Others show their willingness to suffer with Jesus by giving up chocolate or coffee.  I have only given up brussels sprouts - does that make my love for Jesus any less intense?  Can we really ‘give up’ anything that compares with Jesus giving up his life for ours.

Here is why I love Lent.  It is the time of year when we are most focused on Jesus.  We talk about Jesus.  We walk with Jesus.  We share stories of Jesus with one another.  We can speak the name of Jesus outside of church and not feel nervous.

Lent is a recognized season of the christian year focused on the forty days of Jesus’ ministry leading up to his arrest and crucifixtion.  Forty days to be intentional about Jesus.  Barely more than one-tenth of our year.  Now I know that we are all about Jesus other times of the year but Lent is special.  Special in that we feel a sense of being drawn into something with Jesus.  So clear is our corporate focus on Jesus that we find ourselves moved in the direction of Jesus in all aspects of our life.

So here’s the ‘gimpy’ perspective on Lent:  We all come to grips with our brokenness at different times and in different ways.  It is in those times and places that we realize we are all just a little bit ‘gimpy’.  During Lent the opportunities for that realization are greater because we get to walk toward the cross with a very human and occasionally ‘gimpy’ Jesus.  Jesus is real for us during Lent.  His life.  His ministry.  His love.  His death.  His sacrifice.  His grace. 

For these reasons our devotion to Jesus is renewed.  Our commitment to Jesus is reaffirmed.  Our drive to be like Jesus hits a new high.  Our desire to serve Jesus is evidenced.  Our attendance in worship is even above average :).

I love Lent!  It is all about Jesus - and - God knows - I LOVE JESUS!

Till next time.....

Paula

Still Gimpy by Grace ...and... Well in the Lord!

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