"What’s up with Lent?"

Wednesday of this week marks the beginning of a spiritual journey for Christians all over the world.  It is Ash Wednesday, and it signifies the start of Lent which continues for the next forty days and six Sundays prior to Easter Day. Yet, too often, Lent is associated with giving something up, like Hershey bars or Cherry Garcia ice cream, but that misses the point. As one wise person put it, “Lent consists in doing something, not merely doing without something.”  

The truth is, the last thing we need is one more thing to do. We are already stretched and stressed and over scheduled. So we skip the journey. And when that happens, we are the poorer for it. That is why I believe Lent is not for the faint of heart. Lent challenges us to pause, to reflect, and to prepare ourselves spiritually for the celebration of Easter.  

It seems to me that there are a myriad of ways you can “do something” during Lent to get you started on your spiritual journey. The list is virtually endless, and might include attending worship every Sunday, experiencing our Lenten Breakfasts, coming to our Wednesday night Bible study, and making time to attend our special Enrichment Series. Your journey might include spending a few more moments every morning in prayer, listening to what the Holy Spirit might be trying to whisper in your ear. The journey might have you asking God to help you find your place where you can serve others at Sardis and stop worrying about how others can serve you. The point is simply this, over the next forty days, with the help of God, I need to ask myself, how can I grow spiritually? It’s a question you might want to ask yourself, as well.