A Journey of 40 Days: Observing Lent

This Ash Wednesday, millions of Christians began the 40-day journey during Lent, preparing their hearts and minds to fully celebrate Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection on Easter morning. While observing Lent, many will fast, give up favorite earthly possessions, and/or give time to the less fortunate—all the while drawing closer to God.

Easter Sunday has been known as the “Super Bowl” of church attendance. We all want to celebrate the greatest gift ever given to mankind! We find a new dress, new shoes for the kids and even maybe a new shirt for the hubby. And, when we walk in the church building that beautiful, brisk Easter morning, we can feel the excitement. “They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.” - Luke 24:2 NIV Hallelujah! As Christians, we can’t help but get chills—lifting our hearts, minds and souls in praise to Christ Jesus.

Now, what if, as Christians, we all joined in on a 40-day Lenten journey, vowing to prepare our hearts to fully accept the gift of grace on Easter morning? What if we simply asked God to help us experience an awakening over the next 40 days of Lent that would lead us to fully accepting His gift? What if we asked that He consume our lives with His presence and His will so that we can wake up Easter morning ready to experience His love in an amazing new way?

We encourage you to spend quiet time with God during this Lenten season, asking Him about your 40-day journey. Let him guide you. Maybe He’ll lead you to have a conversation you’ve put off for some time. Many wonder how to observe Lent or what to give up for it. Maybe for you it’s spending 15 minutes of quiet time every morning in the Word. Maybe it’s as simple as giving up that cup of coffee on the way to work each morning for a while, remembering Christ’s 40-day fast. Whatever your path may be, ask God to steer you every step of the way as you prepare for Easter Sunday. And, then on Easter morning, as you are getting all spiffy for the big day, your heart may be singing louder than ever before.

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