2.13.13

2.13.13

today is ash wednesday.

the first day of lent.

40 days leading up to Easter.

lent nor advent are mentioned in the Scriptures, but are practices that Christians have done for centuries in preparation for Christ's birth and Christ's death & resurrection.

secular theories of lent involve fat tuesday and giving up something for selfish reasons, selfish gain, or out of religious obligation.

from my findings, observing lent is intentionally setting aside time to remember Christ's life and death and resurrection and to discipline oneself to fasting, prayer, and studying of the Scriptures.

i recently read that "if lent is not about getting to know Jesus Christ better, it is a waste of time."

therefore, i don't feel pressured into observing lent, but consider it an opportunity to know Christ more.

so today, leading up to the celebration of Christ's victory over death,

i begin with a deeper pause. a meditative morning of what He wants to show me. how He wants to grow me.

this adoption journey, i find, is reflective of Christ's pursuit of me.

how He longs for me to know Him, to search for Him. to sit and think of Him.

psalm 90.12 says, "so teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."

it is no coincidence on my faith journey, on our adoption journey, that the upcoming invitation to our orphanage happens during lent.

i want to relish in the movement of God. to get caught up and encapsulated in His very heartbeat.

He promises it will happen if I draw near to Him.

 ^"let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10.22-23

He is passionately pursuing us. He is passionately loving and active in india.

how can you and i respond to this pursuit?

to what Christ has done for us on the cross and through the grave?

i purpose to be intentional in these 40 days to open my heart more, to be still, to listen, to seek Him out.

oh, that you and i will be closer to Him than ever before.

that come Easter Sunday, our hearts are as full as ever

and our lips confess praise and adoration to our King!

matthew 12:34 says that our mouth speaks what our hearts are full of.