Hello, friends. Here we are, two weeks into one of my most favorite times of the year – L E N T – forty days of drawing close to the Lord in His Word, through devotion, prayer, and worship, to learn from Him and grow in Him as we anticipate His coming on Easter. It’s become one of the most sacred times of the year for me and something I’ve very much come to look forward to and appreciate each year.
As I have done the past couple of years, I’m working my way through the Naptime Diaries Lent Devotional, where each theme (all characteristics of Jesus) begins with a prayer followed by five days of specific scripture passages focused on that theme. This year’s themes are:
F A I T H F U L
Jesus walked on earth and endured all our things, but stayed true and faithful to the call.
H U M B L E
Jesus knew His standing with God the Father and His power, yet He still got low and stayed loving.
F O R G I V I N G
Jesus wipes our sin out and makes a way for us to be forgiven before we even sin.
O B E D I E N T
Jesus carried out the work God the Father intended for Him, fully knowing the cost.
U N C O N V E N T I O N A L
Jesus is so much bigger and better than our minds can ever fathom.
L O V I N G
There is no one more loving than Jesus. He is our perfect example of love.
C O N V I N C E D
Jesus wants to convince us of His truth and our purpose in Him.
P R A Y E R F U L
Jesus was so connected to God the Father. We are invited to connect with Him too.
I don’t know where all of you are at in this Lenten season, but as I seek to break free and live the abundant life He has for me this year and into the future, these themes are exactly the qualities of Jesus I need to embrace in my heart and mind and apply to my life, on a daily basis. I’m learning more and more as I walk this journey of faith that my life just does not make sense without the presence and influence of Jesus Christ. I cannot do this life without Him. He is my everything and I would not be who or where I am without Him in my life. So to fully live life with Him, I need to know Him more and seek to become more like Him. And that’s why Lent has become a standard practice for me each year.
Are you leaning into and practicing Lent this year, friends? I’d love to hear how you’re drawing close to Him in this season. And I pray that this set-aside time brings you closer to Him and blesses your life and walk with Him beyond measure.