Okay folks, it’s Lent, not lint. Most of us have noticed the ‘Lent buzz’ has begun. And Lent is not what you clean from your dryer vent. Lent is talked about in the news, there are multiple Facebook suggestions, even social media solutions are offered. First, let’s define what lent is. Biblegateway.com offers this definition for Lent:
“Lent is the span of time in the church calendar that starts with Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday commemorates the beginning of Jesus’ 40-day fasting and temptation in the desert, and Easter Sunday commemorates Jesus’ resurrection from the grave after His crucifixion.
Lent, then, is generally observed as a time for Christians to reflect, repent, and pray as a way of preparing their hearts for Easter. (How does one observe Lent? from Andy Rau, Senior Manager of Content, Biblegateway.org.)
Lent is about love, our Savior’s love and sacrifice for us. Jesus literally became sin for us, so that we might have fellowship with the Heavenly Father. “God, the Father made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf.” 2 Corinthians 5:21, “Jesus’ love covers a multitude of sin.” Romans 6:23, “For the wages (payment) of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
There is only one solution for the problem of separation from God…some have tried to earn their way to heaven by working harder or being religious…but Hebrews 9:6 says, “Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission (forgiveness) of sins.” Jesus Christ is the only answer to the problem…He died on the Cross and rose from the grave, paying the penalty for our sin…He provided a way for us to have a relationship with God.
I am preparing for Easter through an observance of Lent. Lent is the forty days before we celebrate Easter. You, too, might be reading through a devotional during this time. Others are considering how we can love God in a deeper way by denying ourselves – some abstain from coffee, chocolate or fried foods in an effort to draw near to God.
Recently I heard of a woman, who instead of “giving up”, chose to “give away” something each day before Easter Sunday. It got me to thinking about how the love of God compels us to give away to those who will never be able to give back to us. That’s just how God gave his son Jesus to us. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
You can start in your own closet, begin to purge, give away clothes. If you haven’t worn it in a year, you probably won’t wear it again. It’s time to unclutter your closet. When you start to dig, toss, sort and throw out, you will find this freeing concept will overflow to other areas.
The worst was starting the process to remove one item out of my closet each day. Since then, some days, I’ve unloaded up to ten items I don’t need, don’t care for any more or have to honestly say, I won’t wear. Some pieces are nearly brand new. (I’m embarrassed about my obsessive overindulgence, yet I’ve turned it around to think of the many who will be blessed by receiving my brand-new clothes.)
I am showing and sharing love during Lent. I’ve been so excited about making room in my closet; the practice has begun to infiltrate the drawers and cupboards in my bathroom and, just yesterday, hit some areas in my home office. Wow, I can’t tell you how good it feels to face the areas of chaos and clutter. I’ve been a victim of my fear of letting go. Instead of caving into fear, I have chosen to show love during Lent. What about you? I’ve learned this the hard way: you have to let go to take hold of something new. Maybe I should have read my Bible and let the truth transform my choice to show love?
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But this one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-15
How will you choose to show love for Jesus during Lent? How can we fall more deeply in love with our Savior? How can we prepare ourselves to be amazed by celebration day of victory over death, when Jesus rose from the dead?
Exchanging hurt for hope is Sheryl Giesbrecht’s focus—a message she shares with audiences as a radio and television personality, author and speaker. A dynamic teacher and motivating leader, Giesbrecht has endured many changes and challenges, moving her to a deep faith, trust and dependence on God.
She served as Focus on the Family’s columnist for Pastor’s Wives for four years. Hundreds of her columns, magazine and devotional articles have appeared in Focus on The Family Magazine, Just Between Us, Discipleship Journal, CCM, Walk Thru the Bible’s – InDeed and Tapestry publications.
Giesbrecht’s radio show, “Transformed Through Truth” is nationally and internationally syndicated and heard daily by over 10 million listeners on networks across the United States. The Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network shares the show internationally on seven continents. “Transformed Through Truth” launched as a 30-minute internet television teaching feature in March 2017. To view this amazing teaching time, go to www.HSBN.tv.
Sheryl has a heart for missions and is avid about reaching out to the poor and needy, locally through the Rescue Mission and worldwide through various ministry partners. Giesbrecht is a Lead Like Jesus Facilitator and missionary with Freedom In Christ Ministries (www.FICM.org) and has been personally involved with equipping hundreds and facilitating the training of thousands of leaders internationally. Sheryl’s latest book is entitled It’ll Be Okay: Finding God When Doubt Hides the Truth.
The joys of Giesbrecht’s life are her children and thirteen grandchildren. She is excited about the new beginning she shares with her marriage to Dr. Jim Turner. Sheryl holds a Bachelor of Arts from Biola University, a Master’s in Ministry and a Doctorate of Theology.
Learn more about Sheryl Giesbrecht on her website, www.sherylgt.com. She also invites readers to follow her on Facebook, and on Twitter (@SGiesbrecht).
