LENT and the Corpath Member - WEEK 1
For the next six weeks Monday Meditations will be looking at the topic of the Lenten Season and how we, as Corpath members, can embrace and participate with this meaningful time in the Christian calendar.
Isaiah 55
Depending on how you grew up or what your experience in the Christian faith has been, you likely have some idea of what the season of LENT is and what it means to Christians.
Personally, I share with you that I grew up in a “church home”. My grandfather and father were both pastors. All my family (on both sides) practised the Christian faith and were deeply committed to the corporate worship that a church provides. In fact, it’s likely my first Sunday on earth was the first time I attended church, even though I was born on a Friday just two days prior!
We celebrated the rites of passage for the Christian faith and celebrated the traditional holidays (Good Friday, Easter, Advent, and Christmas). However, I’m sad to say, we never engaged with the season of Lent. I actually don’t know why. It wasn’t until later in my adult life that I started to “dabble” into the topic of Lent and understand its importance to the Christian faith.
WHAT is LENT?
According to Brittanica.com, “Lent is a period of penitence and preparation Easter” and lasts for about six weeks. It begins with Ash Wednesday, a time when sinners would call out to God recognizing their sins. They would express their guilt by covering themselves with ashes (Examples; Jonah 3:3-8 and Daniel 9:3-13). Observing Lent includes activities that help us reflect on Christ’s activities as he ministered to people here on earth. The original practices included 40 days of fasting which imitates His fasting in the wilderness prior to starting his ministry. Lent has also been recognized as a time for preparation for baptism on Easter Sunday, one of the most sacred Christian rites. Although many of the original practices associated with Lent have been relaxed, the intent of the season remains; to reflect on our sinful nature, associate ourselves with Christ, and celebrate Him as he conquered death by rising again!
Q: What has been your experience with “Lent” in the past?
Take a couple of moments and read the following passage. Consume these words and imagine yourself as being the one God is speaking directly to - because He is! …
Isaiah 55 (NLT)
Is anyone thirsty?
Come and drink—even if you have no money!
Come, take your choice of wine or milk—it’s all free!
Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?
Why pay for food that does you no good?
Listen to me, and you will eat what is good.
You will enjoy the finest food.
Come to me with your ears wide open.
Listen, and you will find life.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you.
I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.
See how I used him to display my power among the peoples.
I made him a leader among the nations.
You also will command nations you do not know,
and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey,
because I, the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.”
Seek the LORD while you can find him.
Call on him now while he is near.
Let the wicked change their ways
and banish the very thought of doing wrong.
Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them.
Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
“The rain and snow come down from the heavens
and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
producing seed for the farmer
and bread for the hungry.
It is the same with my word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
You will live in joy and peace.
The mountains and hills will burst into song,
and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.
Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.
These events will bring great honour to the LORD’s name;
they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”
This may seem to be an unrelated scripture to talk about the season of LENT, but let me explain my thinking this way…
For us, as we reflect on the above scripture reference, I would propose that we consider four words to help us understand this journey from a sinful life, moving into faith and having a deeper relationship with God.
YEARNING: The feeling that there must be something more than what we have experienced in this finite life. We recognize we are hungry and thirsty for something more than this world can offer. We yearn for eternity with him. (Ecclesiastes 3:11-15)
LEARNING: We listen and consume what is taught to us through God’s word, other believers, and the directing of the Holy Spirit. We sit at the holy banquet table and are fed. (Romans 15:4)
TURNING: The wilful decision to reject the way of the world and accept the way of Christ. We accept that His ways are righteous and pure, and we choose to follow Him. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
BURNING: The display of Christ’s love in and through us. We pursue Him with everything we have. It consumes us. Our desire is to live our lives in a way that encourages others to draw closer to him. It burns like a flame that cannot be extinguished. (Mark 12:30-31)
Q: After reading today’s meditation, what are your plans for participating in this Lenten season as a way of growing in your Christian faith?
Even though we celebrate this time every year (Easter season), there are always new things we can learn about our journey from fear to faith. Allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to us and reveal ways in which we can grow closer to God is our expectation of the season.
If you would like to begin a more intentional journey of honest reflection and faith this Lenten Season, consider using this RightNow Media @Work series that is available to you for FREE as part of your Corpath membership. Make plans to watch it and talk about it with your family and Forum Group members.
The Lent Experience, by Eric Ferris. https://app.rightnowmedia.org/content/details/468550
Wishing you and your loved ones and sacred and meaningful Lenten season this year.
Blessings always and all-ways,
Steve Shrout
President
Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next Forum Group meeting.
Attached to this email is a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation, and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development and SPIRITUAL growth.
