As we are in a season of Lent, I’m learning more about this time from the faith of others and especially my Catholic brothers and sisters.
Lent is a season of 40 days to prepare our hearts afresh for the time of Easter and where Christ must suffer much before His betrayal, death, and ultimately victorious resurrection.
Lent is modeled after the 40 days in which Jesus went into the wilderness to fast, pray, and seek God’s face. He was also seeking God’s guidance and will: not just for the start of His public ministry. And ultimately, He surely knew that a very difficult road lay ahead. For before Christ would ever be the earthly King and rule and reign like His disciples thought, He would have to first reclaim that rightful kingdom from a usurper, the devil. He would have to show us the way back to the Father’s will by redeeming mankind through His suffering, death, and resurrection: the way of the Cross.
Jesus was tempted by many things in the desert. Not just with hunger and thirst while He fasted and sought God, but the devil appeared to Him tempting Jesus with power, wealth, and esteem if He would but bow down and worship him instead of God.
Are we not constantly tempted with the very same things in this life? No, we may not literally bow to the enemy, but do we let the pride of life or our egos and things of this world consume us? Are we in a constant quest for more material things, greater wealth, power or ways to be recognized and esteemed? Only look at social media and it may clue you in to how vain our egos can be at times: mine included. When instead, just how much attention do we give to God, His Word, serving and giving to others, and making His kingdom more glorious instead of our own? Do we say we love Him and live for Him, but how much of our time, money, attention, and talents are directed towards glorifying Him? Or is it directed toward ourselves and our ego?
Lent is a time to fast, to pray, to search our hearts, and to prepare our lives afresh for Christ and all He has done for us. It’s a time to search our hearts to see whose kingdom we are striving to live for and who is getting the glory in and through our lives.
I’m searching my heart and realizing I fall so very short and indeed need Christ to come anew in me and to prepare me afresh for His coming. How about you? Will you prepare yourself again for His resurrection and His coming in your life?
Beloved:
It delights My heart to know you seek to serve and please Me. You comfort My heart when there are so many that ignore Me or reject Me or many who abuse Me with their words and treatment of others. The way of the Cross was difficult for Me. I know it’s not easy for you either. But you will find indescribable joy and everlasting life when you embrace My ways: not the ways of this world. And there is a great reward laid up for you. You are My delight and My beloved.
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.” (Revelations 22:12)