February 1979

As perhaps all of us are aware, later this month is the beginning of Lent. It is, therefore, fitting that we ask ourselves the question, "What does Lent mean to us?" What does it mean to you as an individual? Someone might answer, "It is a time to confess our sins". Another, "It is a time to give up things". A third, "It is a time in which we may improve ourselves". Still another idea, which actually embraces all is that it is a time for us to seize great opportunities given to us by the Church or inspired by our worship services.

First of all, we may want to plan each week in Lent so that we may not miss the opportunity to worship regularly with others, in Church services. This is almost a prerequisite of a good Lent. It aids in our desire to confess our sins and so free ourselves of them. We must remember that Christ was tempted severely in the wilderness; yet did not sin. We do not, of course, confess our temptations, if by the grace of God, we resisted them. We do examine our actions in the light of God's revelation, confess our sins, and accept with grateful hearts, God's forgiveness. If we should decide that we have not sinned at all - well, we need to look deeper or we need to receive counselling about sins! In 1 John we read, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us".

In addition to confessing our sins regularly and receiving forgiveness, most of us need to practice self-denial. This giving up of certain things, is an especially wonderful opportunity to receive special Lenten help from our Lord, but it is also an opportunity to give up, in order that we may put something better in its place. One teenager, whom I knew years ago, resolved that she would give up during the Lenten period everything that interfered with her attendance at Church. Her religion was quite real and she is still a very active Christian today.

Confessing our sins, giving up certain things, both improve our lives, if they are done correctly, but we need to remember that any improvement MUST come from God. Of ourselves, we can do nothing. Any increased concern for others, visitation of the sick and lonely, any gifts to the needy, all must be inspired by the love of God, to be truly worthwhile. Not long ago my five year old grandson said to me, "Grandmother, God lets me do anything I want to do but He wants me to ask Him to help, doesn't He?" I replied, "That's right because you want to do what God wants you to do". Without hesitation he replied with vigor, "No, I don't. I want to do what I want to. I just want Him to help me!" How true this is of all of us at least at times: we want to do what we want to - we just want God to help us do it! We have to remind ourselves again and again that it is God who provides the opportunities and it is God who inspires us to grasp each opportunity and go forward in His kingdom!

Let us pray: O God, the strength of all who put their trust in You: mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of Your grace that in welcoming Lenten opportunities we may please You both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

To go back a page; to go to the Home Page; to go to the next page