I grew up in a church tradition that focused on Lent. We were not consistent church attenders, and our family did not particularly practice anything at home in honor of Lent, but the concept of Lent was real and recognized. We always chose something to give up during Lent. Then we always went to church on Easter Sunday in new dresses our mother had made for my sisters and me.
As I came to Christ in my teen years and later attended a less liturgical church, I mostly forgot about Lent. But in recent years I have been reminded of what a treasure it is for my spiritual life.
Yes, it is a time to “give up” something. Sometimes it is food, like sweets, or something like TV, or crossword puzzles. These are not bad things, but the denying myself is a helpful spiritual practice. I’ve also found it is good to “add to” my life with a practice that also reminds me of all that Christ has added to my life. So I might do a daily devotional, or give to a charity, or pray for particular people. I always ask God to guide me.
So what is the real meaning of Lent? It is a time to express our repentance for our sins in preparation for recognizing the truth of Bad Friday/Good Friday. It was certainly a difficult day for our Savior as He took on Himself all our sins—the sins of the whole world—and was separated from His Father in paying the penalty for those sins. And Good Friday—it represents great good news for us—our sins are washed away, forgiven, buried, paid for!!
And then we celebrate. Easter is the holiest day of all—Jesus overcame death and rose again to live forever—and to make the same available to us!
Lent represents for me one of the most wonderful truths about our God—His mercy. He hates our sin, and exacts a great penalty for it—death, separation from Him. But His mercy drove Him to provide a way for forgiveness, reconciliation, restoration!
His mercy flows through the entire Bible. My focus this Lenten season will be on that mercy so generously extended to me—and to you. So each day during Lent I will post a reminder of His mercy on Facebook and Twitter.
Please join me in gratefully acknowledging and walking in His abundant mercy.
“…to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” ( prophecy about Jesus in Luke 1:77-79)
What about you? What does God’s mercy mean to you?
c2012 Judy Douglass
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Judy,
This morning while walking my dog, blacky, I was having my daily conversation with God and asking Him what I should do for this lend season give up something or do something. People normally give up something and I was thinking of practicing something so when I read your devotion it was just what God was telling me to do or have MERCY on others. To show mercy, to have mercy, to practice mercy. Thank you Judy!
I love that, Maria–looking to show mercy!
Lent and Easter are not big holidays in the Evangelical Church here in Mexico. I think it is an over-reactive desire to oppose the traditions of the Catholic Church… and I miss it very much. If we are home, I am famous for “pressuring” my family to get up early with me and watch the sunrise and consider that amazing morning when the SON ROSE from the dead. Your blog has encouraged me to re-initiate a Lenten practice this year. I look forward to following your mercy meditations! Thanks, Judy!
Thanks, Terry. May God bless you.
Thank you!
You’re welcome, Emily.
Thanks for the reminder of observing Lent season, it’s good to practice what believe.
Thanks, Josie.
Thank you Judy for this great reminder of the sacrifice and mercy of our Lord to us. I am also challenged to move in greater mercy to all God puts in my path. I am also considering what I am to give up that will be a daily reminder of what the Lord gave up for me. Enjoyed spending some time with you this evening. May you be blessed and encouraged to continue writing you blog as it is a huge gift and blessing to many .
Loved being with you. Love and blessings.
I, too, love being with you Judy. Thank you for giving of yourself so freely!
God’s mercy to me is that I am saved, completely by HIs doing, and that He filled my heart and mind with desire and vision to be on a journey that is all His. He has mercifully kept me n journey with HIm. I have been a Christian for so many years and still get overwhelmed by the reality of God’s desire for me, HIs joy about me and His determination to change me, fill me and use me for His purposes. What a high position and calling. What a gift to be forgiven over and over and changed by a power beyond myself. Some of God’s mercy gifts are forgiveness, righteousness by faith and daily hope as well as a secure home in heaven and the awesome privilege of hearing HIs voice day by day as He loves and leads! The list is endless.
His mercy overwhelms me–so grateful.
Thank you, Judy, for re-iterating the benefits of sacrifice and/or giving this Lenton season to prepare our hearts to celebrate Christ’s sacrificial death for us and gift of everlasting life. I thought I would share some great ideas from one of my other blog followings on The Practicle Disciple (http://thepracticaldisciple.com/), who this month has packaged his 15 great Lent-celebrating ideas over the last several years together this year in a down-loadable bundle.
May you continue to be blessed as you are a blessing to your followers. In Christ.
Thanks so much, Martha. I will check it out.