Well, here we are! Many Protestthe cross 2ant and Catholic friends will begin Lent today, Feb 10, and many Orthodox friends will begin Great Lent on March 14.

What exactly are we all beginning? A sojourn.

Yes, I too like the word. And its meaning is, well, meaningful. A sojourn is a temporary stay. (Merriam-Webster)

Here, between the full manger and the empty tomb, we will stay with Jesus as He journeys cross-ward…

and hear Him weep over stubborn hearts and turn over temple tables. (Lk 19:41, Lk 19:45-46)

and see the crowds shout “Hosanna!” and “Crucify him!” (Lk 19:37-38, Lk 23:21)

and witness the disciples’ pledge sincere faithfulness and deliver fear-filled abandonment. (Mt 26:35, Mt 26:56)

During Lent, we will stay with Jesus and remember…

that we are the stubborn hearts

and the temple tables.

We are the fickle crowds

and the fearful disciples.

And He is our Savior.

So we will stay with Jesus…

and feel His grief when He calls Judas, “friend.” (Mt 26:50)

and believe His voice when He tells Peter, “And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Lk 22:32)

and love His mercy when He cries, “Father forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.” (Lk 22:34)

We will stay with Jesus these forty days of Lent

to hear,

to see,

to witness,

to feel,

to believe,

to love.

To remember.

And on that morning, when the silent tomb gives way to an earth-shaking shout, and together we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, our hope is that these forty days prepare us to continue to stay with Jesus…until we see Him face to face.

“What a day, glorious day, that will be”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Learning together: I’d love to hear from you! What is your experience with Lent to date? How are you planning on preparing your heart for Resurrection morning this year? This week, I’ll be giving a signed copy of my book, Anonymous: Jesus’ Hidden Years and Yours, to someone who comments!

P.S. If you’re doing 40 Days of Decrease for Lent and don’t have a community to journey with, join me for an Author Book Chat on facebook! Each day, I’ll post a question for discussion and we’ll learn from one another as we decrease in heart-clutter for the love of God.

 

Pin It on Pinterest