The Hope of Lent


For many, Lent is a time of giving up..  giving up chocolate or soda.. (both of which I could do and maybe should  do.)  Giving up TV or facebook or eating out..  coffee..  Something that is a sacrfice.  And sometimes, you make it the 40 days and sometimes..  you don't.  I don't.  So, I generally don't give things up.  Which means, most years, I do nothing during Lent.  nothing more, nothing less..  lent happens and Easter comes and I'm not any closer to Jesus then I was before.


This year, I want more.  I want something different.  I want meaning and growth and intention.  So this year, I'm commiting to more time in the Scripture and more time in Worship and more time in intimate prayer with my Savior.  And to hold me accountable to that, and to maybe encourage others as well, more time on this blog..  I'd like to title this all 40 days of blogging, but I don't have 40 days worth of words..  So it will be Lenten blogging and it'll be a journey towards the cross.  I hope you'll join me.


This is the word that has been on my heart today..  HOPE.  We often cling to and focus on this word HOPE during Advent and certainly the birth of our Savior is covered in Hope.  But Lent, the cross, the death and the Resurrection, Mostly THE RESURRECTION is the very definition of HOPE in the Christian Faith.  The promise of overcoming darkness.  The victory in LIFE.  The Raising up of Newness and Glory and Christ and HOPE..  We walk these steps in Lent, the steps of looking inward and taking off what is weighing us down.  Steps of repenting and weeping and grieving and stripping and in each step, in each tear, in each confession we move slowly closer to the cross where we embrace HOPE.  And we breathe and release and raise our hands and our hearts and our heads to the heavens where beautiful hope reigns down on us in mercy and grace.

One of my favorite passages is from Romans 5.  Hear these words of Paul.
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"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they can help us develop endurance!  And endurancee develops strength of character, and character strengthens our CONFIDENT HOPE of SALVATION!!!    And this HOPE will not lead to disappointment.  For we know how dearly God LOVES us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with HIS love!" 

Do you see it?  HOPE does not disappoint!  This world sure does.  People sure do.  But - HOPE..  But God - nope.  There is no disappoitment in Christ Jesus.  HE CANNOT DISAPPOINT US.  So, this LENT - place your HOPE in Christ.  He overcomes.  He fill us.  He casts out fear.  He is victorious.  

Watch This..  worshipful Hope.  



This song all day..  Yearning for Christ.



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