A Time for Everything: LENT

For the first time in my life as a follower of Jesus, I’ve decided to join the broader Christian community and practice this season called LENT. I’ve given up coffee for lent. And I’m still alive. I like life sans coffee quite well actually, I may not go back.

Click Here to Download the LENT GUIDE

Lent, a period of 40 days (not including Sundays) between Ash Wednesday and Easter was originally a period of preparation for those to be baptized at Easter. It later became a time of penitence and self-examination for all Christians. In some ways, it is meant to reflect the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert fasting and resisting temptation prior to His ministry.

By celebrating Lent, we follow Jesus into the wilderness, resist temptation, pray, and proceed “on the way” to Jerusalem, and the cross of Good Friday. The Lenten journey is one of repentance, that is, changing directions from self, self-serving patterns and an myopic focus toward the others-focused way of life of following Jesus. We follow Jesus in laying down ourselves for others and trust that the power of that raised Jesus from the dead is enough to guide us in repentance and renewal. The intervention of God’s gracious Spirit makes life-long changes become possible. Turning from the old self at Lent and experiencing a dying of old ways prepares us to truly experience the joy of Easter.

Lent started on February 17th, so you’re a little late. But because there is freedom in Jesus, I wanted to invite you to consider jumping into this stream of the broader Christian experience. The guide will serve you well. Jump in!

Peace Out-
Brian Williamson
Lead Pastor
The Bridge Bible Church