Reflect and repent.
I can’t think of a better common calling as we Christians begin the Lenten season. Lent is a time for serious introspection, contemplation and prayer.
The practice of giving up something for Lent is a tangible means of practicing self sacrifice. Whether symbolic or more serious, the idea is primarily designed to turn our focus away from worldly things and desires of the flesh. We are called to look upward and experience a greater relationship with God.
Jesus himself spent 40 days and nights in the desert. He sacrificed. He prayed. He resisted temptation. Jesus overcame the temptations of the devil in order to fulfill his destiny to become our “merciful and high priest” as it is written in the book of Hebrews. Christ overcame the great tempter and we can call upon that victory to help us in our times of trial.
Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. – Hebrews 2:18
How would you endure those 40 days and nights in the desert? Other than perhaps a few tips from “Man vs. Wild” or “Survivor Man”, I doubt I’d fare very well. So surely I can endure 40 days of Lenten reflection and repentance.
Recall Israel’s 40 years in the wilderness. Those four decades were chock full of testing and tempting.
Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. – Deuteronomy 8:2
And how did the Israelites fare? I’ve got two words for you: Golden Calf. You remember the story. Moses leaves them with his brother Aaron (the soon to be high priest) while Moses heads up Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights. Are you sensing the significance of this number, 40?
Anyway, Moses is gone for just over a month and suddenly the Israelites are forgetting God’s commands and turning to their old ways. All those years of captivity in Egypt, they became comfortable with the idol worship thing. Bulls were typical idols of worship. So, the Israelites (with Aaron’s involvement) melted their gold jewelry and fashioned a Golden Calf.
Moses subsequently intervened on behalf of the “stiff necked people” when God wanted to destroy them because of their sinfulness.
When’s the last time you took inventory? You know, a personal inventory. We all have “junk” we deal with. Our own Golden Calves. It may be an old habit, a stubborn sin, perhaps a little thing that barely impedes your daily walk with Jesus.
But that “little thing” may be like the tiny pebble in your shoe. You know what I mean? The tiniest of pebbles can drive you crazy when you’re trying to walk. You just have to stop and take off your shoe and shake that thing out.
Trouble is, sometimes those little things surface so frequently that we first become accustomed to them, then later accepting of them. Even though we know it’s not best for our overall spiritual health.
Let me issue a Lenten challenge to reflect and repent. Practice prayer, self denial and discipline. But be forewarned: The devil will be after you double time. The great tempter and accuser will twist your mind and play on your feelings. Lent must be like the Super Bowl for the evil one. It’s temptation time.
But let me remind you that you can call upon the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. James says resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. – James 1:12
The Lenten road leads to the glorious joy that awaits on Easter morning.
But first, that 40 day journey must travel through the cruelty of a cross.
Stay strong. Reflect and repent.
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