As we approach Easter, I am reminded this year, more than ever, of the importance of the season of Lent. You see, this year, I failed. Miserably. Not that every other year has been some huge success mind you. But this year, if we’re honest, has just been off for me in terms of liturgy, tradition, and practice. I finally finished up the series of the spiritual disciplines, but it was a struggle. I let go of leading of Sunday School class, and the new direction is lacking. And I haven’t been able to put in to the prep for our small what I have the past few years. We haven’t been to a Wednesday night study in over a year.
While my prayer life has been consistent, and I am learning to find joy in simplicity, there’s just something that seems to be off when it comes to the urgency of my faith. I’m not angry. Or bitter. Or really even doubting. Since we’re being honest, I’m just tired. We asked our girls the other night if sometimes it ever just seems hard to grow in your faith. If feeling complacent is easy to slip into. And with a resounding yes I realized I was right there with them. After all the difficulties of last year, I was constantly worrying, constantly in prayer, and constantly seeking after Him through an incredible weight of stress. And this year, on the other side of those answered prayers, I find myself lacking the urgency that discomfort often brings.
But you see, the best part about God is that even in my funk, He’s there. Walking alongside me, continuing to guide me. Because much like marriage and close friendships, it’s not always about the emotional highs. Life is lived in the mundane. The ordinary. So, if you’ve failed to walk through Lent fasting, or maybe you missed the mark on why, you’re not alone. But you’re also not too late. Holy Week is next week. Easter Sunday is just around the corner. Go and fully experience the week that leads to the cross. Take a moment to be still, refocus, and truly prepare your heart for what is coming. For the reality of the sacrifice of Christ. Because face it friends, we’re not perfect. But we serve a King who is.
Verses to meditate on as we prepare for the sadness, the joy, and the triumph that comes with cross this Easter:
Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” John 4:13
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” John 6:51
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last. And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Mark 15:37-39
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2b
He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. Romans 4:25
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Rom. 5:8
So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.. Rom. 5:18-19
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Matthew 28:6
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Mark 8:34
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. Romans 1:16
