This week we are going to do something a little different. When I was a child I was aware that there are people who actively participated in the Lenten season every year. I was never exposed to the season or its meaning but as you circle enlarges, you find yourself being exposed to new things. Recently, I’ve heard a lot about Lent and I decided to investigate to find out what it means and how observing Lent benefits the participant.
So what is Lent? That was my initial question. After some research, I discovered that Lent is a period of 40 days beginning on Ash Wednesday and ends on the Saturday before Easter. Now, you fast every day except Sundays. This process is a period of time where individuals look at themselves and seek to draw near to God. This is done through fasting, prayer and giving.
Now in the Old Testament, when the people were sad or in trouble, they would cry out to God. Haman got the king to sign a decree, that gave the Jews a day to die. “And as news of the king’s decree reached all the provinces, there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, and wailed, and many people lay in burlap and ashes.” Esther 4:3.
In the Old Testament, ashes were a symbol of sorrow for sin. It’s quite fitting that Lend begins with a modern version of sackcloth and ashes. Lent is a season to bring change on the inside. Change on the inside happens as the focus is changed from self to God.
Thought for Today: Change that begins on the inside, is seen on the outside.
Have a blessed day and walk in faith in victory.
Victory Walk 