“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1)
When I became a follower of Jesus Christ in 1994, I was attending a Baptist church and have most of my life. Baptist historically have not celebrated or practiced the Christian Seasons as many other denominations have and do. It wasn’t until I met my wife Katie that I really began to pay attention to the Christian Seasons. Katie was raised in the Methodist Church which celebrates the seasons, and it was during our early time together I was truly introduced to Lent. Lent is the season of preparation for Easter and is meant to help us prepare our heart, mind, and soul to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Morning.
Over the last few years, I have really begun to focus more on the seasons of Christian Calendar. Not sure why that is the case, maybe because as I get older my heart realizes the need to be challenged and equipped more as I prepare for what season is coming. As Lent starts today (Ash Wednesday), my desire is to reflect on my relationship with Jesus, repent of the things that distance me from Jesus, and pray for restoration with Jesus. I want to experience Jesus this year in a deeper and more intimate way than I ever have before. That actually should be our desire daily as we walk with Jesus in prayer, scripture reading, and worship.
The passage of scripture that is at the top of this blog, is one that is at the center of my heart this season. I do not want to practice my faith so that others will see it and think well of me. What I want is to be faithful and seek to be righteous because I desire to be more like Christ. I want the Holy Spirit to move in my life in a way that speaks of the grace and hope of the gospel. What I realize about myself is the depth of depravity that exist in my heart and mind, and it is only through the hope and promise of the gospel that brings me to a place of righteousness. So, as I reflect, repent, and look for restoration, I do it for my own soul and for the purpose of seeking to go deeper with the Lord.
Hopefully this Lent season you will seek the Lord, as you prepare to celebrate Easter soon. My prayer is that I will experience a fresh move of God in my life and that will lead to fresh movement of Kingdom building. Would you prepare and pray with me?
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