As we continue to think through what it means to live as exiles, awaiting the arrival of Christ and his kingdom, this short video from the Bible Project gives us some helpful clues. Click here to view it or watch it below.
Reservoir Learning: Lent
This week the Lenten season begins, the forty days of anticipation ahead of Easter. For many in the Christian world, this season is a time of fasting and prayer, stirring our affections for Christ and longing for his return.
Toward that end, we can learn about the church calendar, the rhythms of the liturgical markers that many churches follow. We can also think about the value of the sacrificial pursuit of Jesus in these days on the calendar.
Chuck B. Colson, an Anglican pastor, shared some benefits to observing lent that is worth your time to reflect upon. You can read his post here.
Included in his writing are these gems:
“Confident of God’s grace in Jesus Christ, we are free to probe the inner recesses of our hearts, unearthing sin’s pollution. God’s grace liberates us to explore our soul, facing its filth, rather than suppressing or succumbing to its contents.”
“Lent gives us the opportunity to move towards our neighbor in charity. Long misunderstood as a form of works-righteousness, Lenten fasting is not about scoring points with God, but rather emphasizes simplicity for the sake of others. By temporarily carving away some comforts or conveniences, good gifts from God himself, we hope to de-clutter our hectic lives, allowing us to focus. Simple living allows us to reserve time for others while also serving to curb our expenses. It is fitting to allocate these savings, along with other gifts, for charitable purposes, especially directing those funds to the poor and marginalized.”
“I invite you to a holy Lent. Take up the opportunity to dwell upon the grief of our broken world, the sin within your heart, and the deep love of God that exceeds these realities. Reflecting on the hospitality of God, consider the needs of your neighbor, especially those without life’s basic needs. And, most importantly, in the gritty details of Lent, don’t forget—Easter is coming!”
Read it for yourself on The Gospel Coalition.