God’s Not Done with Us Yet!
As we enter into Lent, I am reminded about how confusing this season is. Often, I am confronted with questions of “Why am I supposed to give something up?” or “Why so gloomy? Aren’t we supposed to be joyful?” The answers to those questions lie in the reasons why we celebrate Lent. Lent is a time of preparation. Lent is a time of sacrifice. Lent is a time of repentance. All of this is true. But at its heart, Lent is all about getting ready to experience the miracle of Easter in new and life transforming ways.
In our busy schedules and hectic lives, it is often easy to just dispense with Lent. We can endeavor to pass through it as quickly as we can and not get too worried about it. In my mind this would be a mistake. For the more we put into celebrating Lent, the more Easter will be significant for us.
Author William Sundberg writes that it is very hard to face up to the ugliness of the true self, to take the journey that Martin Luther took into the dark night of the soul. This culture resists it. But if we take the journey, we may find that we are able to hear the gospel in its purest form – telling us that God is not done with us yet! The point of repentance is not to remain downtrodden in the gloom of our sin, but to be prepared to hear the gospel as if for the first time.
So, during Lent we explore the inner parts of who we are. We take a hard look at our own sinfulness, pride, and self-destructive lifestyles. We are horrified but encouraged to not hide from the truth. Instead we turn to God with repentant hearts, rejoicing that because of Easter, we are made anew – ready to become the people God created for us to be. Often the practice goes like this. During Lent we offer up a sacrifice or fast to God – to help get our attention away from the demands of the false self, so that the Holy Spirit can lead us to repentance. Repentance then leads us to the further and deeper work that Jesus has for our lives. Come join us at Alpine Lutheran Church this lent as we learn how God really is not done with us yet. There is a much deeper work inside of us that awaits.
Upcoming Lenten Services
Wed Feb 26th Ash Wednesday Services at 11:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M.
Worship every Sunday at 8:00 and 10:00 A.M.
Lenten Soup Suppers every Wednesday in March at 6:00 P.M. (March 4th,11th,18th,25th)
Lenten midweek service in March following our soup supper at 7:00 P.M. This year’s Lenten midweek service will focus on the power of prayer to connect us with God.