The life Jesus lived and the death He suffered make the resurrection all the more glorious. He chose to live here, work here, and die on Earth because of his love for mankind. I know the stories, I know that it’s important, but the depth of God’s choice to love us this way deserves my meditation and focus.

Lent is a long standing tradition within Christianity. For some this is a time where they try to earn forgiveness of sins. These acts are necessary in their minds in order to earn God’s favor. This is not a Biblical idea. We do not need these acts in order to earn favor with God. However there is benefit in taking 40 days to focus on the Cross and what the death and resurrection of Christ really mean. Matthew 4:2 tells us that “when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.” In some religions the act of fasting and feasting, almsgiving, and prayer are things that are works of righteousness. The works aren’t necessary, but a spirit given to meditating on the life of Christ is a good thing. In keeping with that principal, I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to focus on the passion of Christ until Easter.

One idea is to read through the Gospels during the 40 days. There is a schedule here. This is an idea I embrace and plan to do. I don’t know of any better way to focus on the Gospel than to actual read it. I hope others will consider this idea in their own lives.

Another traditional part of Lent is Almsgiving. In our current economy this might be a hard one for a lot of people. Joyful giving is something that flows from the heart. It is possible to give alms that are not simply money. Making dinner for someone less fortunate would be a way to help that would cost very little money. What about watching a child for a friend who cannot afford a sitter? You can volunteer at a soup kitchen, a gift of alms that costs nothing but time. Helping the poor should not be a once a year thing. I think this part of lent should be an integral part of our everyday life. It is part of loving others. Maybe this time of reflection would be a good time to put what we know we should be doing into practice.

Fasting is something I have done in the past, and will do again in the future. There are several passages in the Bible that deal with fasting and prayer. When the disciples as Christ why John the Baptist’s disciples were fasting they weren’t He answered them “Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.” Fasting is a time where your heart is so full of prayer that you do not eat. It is a special time of fellowship with the Lord. I do not think it is absolutely necessary for a good prayer life. It is a spiritual discipline encouraged in Scripture and I believe there is great value in it. Regardless of your choice to fast or not, praying for your spiritual life is something that should be done. Too often we ask amiss because we give God a list of what we want. Prayer based on things we know the Lord wants for us will be answered. Those things would include, love for God and neighbor, the fruit of the Spirit, souls to be saved, grace and peace. The list goes on and on. Pray diligently for these things to prepare your heart for Easter.

While I understand some of the negative reaction many have toward the observation of Lent, I see merit in the focus on Christ. Surely works done simply because it’s “Lent” are worthless in the eyes of God if it is not an outflow of the heart. But just because these acts can be done with the wrong motivation by some is not a reason for the rest of us to turn our backs on the practice of purposeful study on Christ. Lots of people go to church every Sunday because its the “right” thing to do. I’m wondering if observing Lent is similar.

I hope that this Easter season I grow in my understanding and love for God. I plan to make Easter more than a one day focus.

He has had several interviews but there just are not many jobs to be had. Two weeks ago on a Friday, he got the rejection of yet another large firm here in town. Needless to say we were very discouraged. There was a small glimmer of hope in that on Monday he had one final interview, one last chance to get a summer job here in our town. This was pretty much our last hope.

STRESS!

Time passed and today I went to the mailbox and saw a regular envelope from this last hope firm. I was sick. Offers generally come by phone. As I walked back into the house, I dreaded the call I would have to make to Daniel. I just did not want to give him more bad news. What do you know (ok, you’ve probably guess at this point)…he got the position! I literally jumped for joy and called him in disbelief. I could not believe that the last possible chance he had, was the one that worked out for him. I have been in a state of happiness ever since.

It occurred to me later on this evening that I had extra reason to be joyful. Of course, Daniel and I had prayed for God to provide a job. On this particular occasion though, we had fasted the day before his interview. We have done this more than once, and on this day we both felt compelled to do so, so we did. The more I thought about it, this was also the only job prospect we fasted over. We were both truly at our wits end. I had thought several times, “Why would God provide the opportunity of law school and then not provide the job to go with it?” In hindsight, I think we were resting too much on Daniel’s abilities, and not enough on God. I was kind of like the person James describes as double minded. I was praying and asking the Lord to help but trusting in human ability at the same time. James 1:5-8 says : If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Faith is sometimes fleeting when you are discouraged. I know this is the case for me. Yet faith, as we see in the James passage is a requirement of prayer. We must pray believing. This is where I believe fasting comes into the picture. In Matthew 17:20-22 Jesus tells us that “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Prayer and fasting are ways we act on our faith.

Fasting and prayer are two things that are meant to be done together. Many of us pray, but when we fast our prayers are different. Not only are we acting in obedience to the Lord, but we are suffering a little physically for spiritual strength. What a blessing that is for us.

God does not always answer our prayers the way we want Him to, but many times He chooses to give us exactly what we ask. He chooses to answer our specific requests with specific answers, and that to me is amazing. God cares about me personally. He cares about you personally. He watches out for us, He hears us, He answers us, and when He does we should praise Him!