Lent

The period of Lent is an important part of the Christian calendar. It represents “wandering in the wilderness” with Jesus. After being baptized by John in the Jordan River Jesus was led by the Spirit of God into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights. Adam failed when tempted by Satan, but Jesus, of course, triumphed. The seven weeks of Lent are a journey of spiritual preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection (Easter).

You may have never paid attention to the Lenten season, which begins Ash Wednesday (February 21) and concludes on Easter (April 8). I’d like to change that for us this year. Here’s why. We cannot do what God has called us to do – glorify his name, pursue authentic unity in the church, teach the truth, disciple, equip, and send, die to the flesh, live to the Spirit, seek and save the lost, take up our crosses and follow him, overcome the world, resist the devil, show love, grace, and hope to “the least of these”, raise resources, and many other things. The task is too overwhelming. We are desperate for Jesus, and without him we can do nothing.

In full realization of this, I’d like us to view this season of Lent as a Season of Consecration. In his book Ancient Future Time, Robert Webber reminds us that Lent, “calls us back to God, back to basics, back to the spiritual realities of life. It calls on us to put to death the sin and the indifference we have in our hearts toward God and our fellow persons. And it beckons us to enter once again into the joy of the Lord – the joy of a new life born out of a death to the old life.”

Lent is a season characterized by a sacrificial focus on spiritual disciplines. Make an assessment of where you are now. In what way is God calling you back to basics? Would the Lord have you sacrifice your time to wake up a bit earlier and join the corporate prayer meetings? Fathers and mothers, would the Lord have you reschedule your evenings to have regular times of family worship in word, prayer, and praise? Who is it that you can commit to praying with for one hour each week? Is there a meal that the Lord would have you sacrifice once a week to spend more time with him? One thing I plan to do is fast over my lunch hour during the week to spend time in prayer and Scripture reading. These are just some examples for us to consider.

As you consider this, please read and reflect on John 15:1-11. Jesus says in verse 4, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”

Don’t just blow off these words or this call to a Season of Consecration. City of Hope Church Will Not survive or prosper if we are not desperate for the Lord. This is a seeking after and a hungering for Christ that must characterize us as a church. The time to make that the DNA of our church is now, at the beginning. So consider these words and prayerfully commit to something. You don’t have to broadcast what the Lord lays on your heart to all of us, but I’m open to and welcome your thoughts and suggestions.

We will schedule two “concerts of prayer” evenings during Lent for a time of corporate prayer and worship. Look for regular thoughts and suggestions from me throughout this season.

Lastly, please send me an email, give me a call, or speak with me at church if you have any questions or specific prayer requests.

In Christ’s love,

Irwyn Ince

Pastor
City of Hope Church (PCA)