Repent and Return
March 2, 2022 marks the season of Lent in the church calendar. Those who grew up in a denominational church may be familiar with Lent and associate with it giving something up, such as candy or caffeine. I’ve noticed recently Lent is becoming more mainstream but the purpose of it might be lost in translation.
Lent is a season of fasting and repenting. It’s a time to look inward and recognize our genuine need for a Savior. The weeks from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday prepare us for the sacrifice Christ gifted us when he gave up his body on the Cross (Good Friday) and for the hope we have in his resurrection on Easter Sunday. He isn’t dead; he is ALIVE! Hallelujah!
I am a firm believer that a person can never truly understand and appreciate God’s gift in Jesus Christ without acknowledging their sin. Not only their sin but the depth of their sin. The gravity of it. It’s not a popular subject in the church these days. Discussions of our iniquities make us squirm in our seats and justify our transgressions. But if we were “good enough,” there never would’ve been a need for Jesus to give up his life for us.
Fasting, whether from food or actions, is meaningless unless it leads us to focus on God. If you give up social media but replace it with television, what’s the point? If you give up candy but don’t turn your thoughts to God when you feel tempted to grab a piece of chocolate, what’s the point? I missed this so many years that I participated in Lent. I’d sacrifice something, but it didn’t draw me closer to God.
In 2017, I decided to slowly read the Gospels for Lent. I paid particular attention to the Holy Week accounts as told by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It wrecked me in the most amazing way. It transformed me more than any other year of sacrificing pleasure. For the first time in my life, it dawned on me the depths of despair and devastation Jesus willingly allowed for those he loved. For me. The weight of my sins felt like a ton of bricks as I recognized he bore each one as his hands and feet were nailed to the Cross.
Even now – this is the Lord’s declaration – turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the Lord your God. For he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, and he relents from sending disaster.”
Joel 2:12-13
Even now, friends. No matter what you’ve done. No matter how far you’ve fallen. No matter what your sin. God’s inviting you to repent and return to Him. Oh, the grace of this season upon us. Jesus already paid the price; the work is finished. But let us not glaze over what it cost him.
If you’ve never participated in Lent, I invite you to this year. Let this be the year you focus on the sacrifice of Jesus for your sins, and I pray God will draw you near. He is gracious and compassionate, and He loves you so very much.
Blessings,
From God Not Her