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Tomorrow begins the season of Lent. While most are familiar with the term, for many Christians Lent is a mystery. For some it is simply a period of going on a diet; for others Lent is a time when their Catholic friends wear ashes on their foreheads and eat fish on Fridays. Although many are attracted to Lent, few know much about the Lenten season.


Although, the word “Lent” is not found in the Bible, nor are we commanded to observe this season, I believe this is an important time in the life of the Christian and the Church. Let’s take a moment and explore this special time.

Lent is the forty-day season of preparation before Easter. It starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. The Lenten season is generally referred to as being 40 days long (which mirrors Christ’s time of fasting and prayer in the wilderness, Matthew 4:1-11) even though it is spans 46 days, because Sundays are generally not counted as part of the season.  

Lent is designed to be a season of fasting, self-denial, Christian growth, penitence, conversion, and simplicity. Lent comes from the Germanic word for springtime, and can be viewed as a “spiritual spring cleaning,” or a time for taking a spiritual inventory and cleaning out those things which hinder our relationship with and service to Christ.

Lent is a time for serious self-examination. It is often a time spent in prayer, repentance, and fasting. In Scripture (see I Samuel 7:6, I Kings 21, and Ezra 8) fasting is often connected with times of repentance and prayer. 

Fasting often means abstaining from all food and drink for a period of time. However it can also mean going on a disciplined diet, or simply giving up anything that you normally consume. This reminds us Who is in control; and also reminds one to spend time in prayer when their belly growls or they see the things they have given up. 

Traditionally Catholics fast on Good Friday, and traditionally eat fish rather then other meat on Fridays during Lent. This tradition could stem from a couple of reasons. Some say that giving up meat was forgoing a luxury, as it was rare for most people to have. Others point to the early days of Christianity, they were forbidden to eat meat every Friday . 

Friday’s were chosen because this is the day that Christ died, and is the day (sixth) where God created animals. Some believed that abstaining from meat is a symbolic "stay of execution" for cows, pigs, and sheep; symbolizing how the cross saves us from eternal death. Good Friday is also considered a fast day, where one goes without the usual luxuries as a form of penance, purification and remembrance of God's laws. This idea has morphed into the large fish fries we see today.

In any case, Lent is a time for serious, disciplined self-examination, spent in prayer and repentance before the cross of Calvary. Where we are reminded of our sin and the sacrifice of our Savior. 

2 Corinthians 7:9–10 says, “Yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”

Take time this season and consider how great our need for Christ is; and how His sacrifice completely met that need.


As a parent of two growing children our house is very busy and rarely quiet. The rooms echo with the sounds of pattering feet, joyful playing, or sometimes exuberant fighting, and of course many, many questions. Often, they come in the form of a single word - “WHY?”

Regardless of what is said, this is usually the quickest response from my children, especially when the instruction set forth is undesirable to them. I did expect this. Yet, there is one question, asked many times, that I did not expect; “Dad, can you carry this?”

Now I know what you’re thinking, what’s wrong with that? At first glance this request seems innocent and would be if the item they were carrying was too heavy for them. But, usually it is not. This request is a result of an unwillingness to carry or hold whatever they currently have. Typically, because something more interesting has come into view, or they simply want all the pleasure of moving said item without any of the work. 

Sadly, many Christian’s spiritual life resembles this. They want all the benefits, the glory, the temporal and eternal blessings that come from a relationship with Christ without any of the heavy lifting. Don’t misunderstand, our salvation is solely based on God’s gift: Grace. Our redemption is found completely in Christ’s death and resurrection. There is absolutely nothing one can do that will ever please God, earn forgiveness, or make one a better Christian. However there is one thing Christ tells us that we must carry: our cross. In Mark 8:34 Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

In order to follow Christ, in order to truly be His disciple one must carry his own cross. But what does that mean? How do we do it? Often when one experiences trials or undergoes hardships in life they quote this verse and say with a badge on honor “I guess this is my cross to bear.” But is it? Is this what Christ was talking about? I don’t believe so.

The cross was a symbol of torture, suffering, and death. Carrying your cross was a symbol of shame. Instead the key is found in what Christ said first, we must deny ourselves. 

If we are to truly follow Christ, we must deny our sinful desires. We must put away our selfish pursuits; devoting and submitting our lives to Christ and His Word. Each day putting to death our old nature, drowning him in the blood of Christ. Then picking up our cross and following Him. Walking in obedience to His word, regardless of what others think or say. Bolding sharing the good news with others, even if they call us names in an attempt to shame us. Carrying our cross simply means being willing to bear whatever scorn, embarrassment, or loss comes our way because we wear the name of Christ. 

Albert Barns said it best decades ago when we wrote this. 
“to carry the cross is a figurative expression, denoting that we must endure whatever is burdensome, or trying, or considered as disgraceful, in following Christ. It consists simply in doing our duty, let the world think of it or speak of it as they may... it is doing just what is required of us in the Scriptures, let it produce whatever shame, disgrace, or pain it may. This every follower of Jesus is required to do.” 
What are you carrying today? Selfish desires or Godly disgrace? 

Lord help us through the power of the Holy Spirt within to daily deny ourselves and carry our cross each day. 


Joy, is an interesting word. Sadly it’s an emotion that many people do not experience much of today. With so many things to be concerned about, job loss, healthcare, school shootings, and a sluggish economy; joy seems hard to come by. Many people measure joy by looking at their circumstances or possessions; expecting to find something there to make them happy. Yet the harder they look, the sadder they become. 

So where do we find joy? How do we break through this vicious cycle of feeling depressed? The answer is found in our focus, for we must raise our eyes off ourselves and above our circumstances and place them on the Lord. Psalm 103:1 provides great guidance here - "Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name."

Here, King David finds himself in a sad, almost depressed, state. Although we do not know what has happened, or when he penned these words; it is obvious that joy has escaped him. Instead of being struck with the power, majesty, and the glory of the Lord - he presents a melancholy sprit. However, he doesn’t let that stand. In the midst of a mundane existence, David looks commandingly at himself and gives the order to Praise the Lord. 

For he says, "Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name." David realizes that the only escape from his unhappiness is to sing praises to the Lord. It’s as if he looks down deep inside and says “buck up, things are not that bad. Start Praising God!”  He continues this extortion to himself in the following verses...

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits — who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s." Psalm 103:2-5

King David suffered from spiritual amnesia.  He had forgotten all the great things, the many blessings he had received from the Lord. So he reminds himself of God’s works. That He forgives, redeems, and restores our brokenness. That God is the one who works healing in our life. That His love and compassion never fail and only He truly satisfies. In fact, for the next 14 verses David continues recounting the blessing of God.  Until verse 22 where he joyously shouts - “Praise the Lord.”

If you are seeking joy in the pleasures found in this life, or letting its concerns weigh you down, joy will continually be far from you. Instead, like King David, stop looking inward or outward, and start looking upward to the true source of Joy. Command your soul to praise the Lord regardless of feelings and circumstances; crush your spiritual amnesia by recounting the many blessing and benefits that come from them Lord. Reminding yourself of the true source of and reason for Joy. 

I am reminded of the words of an old hymn “Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God hath done! Count your blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.” 

You never know, once you start, your list may outnumber David’s. 

May you will be filled with, and renewed by the Joy of the Lord!

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