The Start Of Lent

And so, we begin the season of Lent. No weather related change in seasons. But what is Lent? For that matter, what is Shrove Tuesday which is commonly called Pancake Tuesday? Just so you know, it is about two things. First it’s about using up all the butter, eggs and fat so you will not be too tempted to go off your Lenten Fast. Yes, people do that. To put it in perspective it has been associated with giving up your most desired food for the next forty days. How’s that working for you? I on the other hand look at Lent as a time to make changes in my spiritual life. Sort of replacing negative behaviour with God honouring behaviour.

Secondly it is also supposed to be a day where you go to a confessor and confess your bad deeds and then the confessor will shrive (absolve) you then you may hear by your deeds what you are to do [in the way of penance]" Simple, right? Not so fast. My bible has something to say about this.

All of this is well and maybe good but God wants more from us. He wants us to go to Him, and He won’t get us to do something to pay for our sins. Christ did that once and for all. And even though it’s a great thing to go to the person we have wronged and ask forgiveness but also, we need to go to God for complete and utter forgiveness. This forgiveness brings again, two things. One, it changes us and creates in us a new heart. A heart that wants to do what is right and pure. Then we realize we didn’t have to pay for it by doing something. I have a cap I wear that reminds me daily, “Jesus Paid It All”. This past week while standing in line at the grocery store a fellow in front of me, (who wanted to be oh so cool) turned around and read the cap. He said to me: “He did, that’s good”. It may have been the first time he ever heard that. Or it could be a reminder of what he heard long ago in Sunday school. Either way the message gave him something to think about. Does it you?

Something to think about

Rob