Journey of Lent in the Shadow of the Cross

The organist played soothing music as we joined the line at the Ash Wednesday service. It was a holy moment when the minister dabbed ash on our foreheads, one-by-one, to create a cross. The ash represents our mortality and reminds us to live in the shadow of the cross.

“For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.”

 (Genesis 3:19 NLT)

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent—the forty days leading to Holy Thursday. Lent is a season of spiritual readiness, of drawing nearer to God, as we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection on Easter.  

Many believers choose to sacrifice something they love to show their devotion and to symbolize Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for us. Foods such as chocolate and coffee are popular choices.

So is giving up worldly traps that eat up our time, such as television or social media. This creates more space in our lives to spend in communion with God.

My husband and I are doing two things this year to observe Lent.

# 1 Decluttering Our Closet

We are adding an item of clothing, or a household product, to this tub each day to donate to charity. We tend to hang on to stuff for years, thinking we might need it again in the future. Or maybe we hang on because of nostalgia or an emotional attachment.

I’m really excited and feel lighter already. Two things motivated this idea.

One was the meme (pictured above) I saw on Facebook back in January. The other was an article written by an author friend, Yvonne Morgan, which convinced me that decluttering would benefit my spiritual health: “Does the Clutter in Life Squeeze Out Christ”

#2 Reading a Book

Together, we are reading Max Lucado’s He Chose the Nails. Of course, we must give up something to make time to read. For him, it’s his obsession with the news; for me, it’s sports stories—my escape from the news.

I love to hear from you. Do you do anything special to mark Lent?

Reflection:

1. It’s hard to think about our mortality. What emotion do you experience when you think about it?

2. What does “living in the shadow of the cross” mean to you?

Heavenly Father,

Draw us closer this season as we remember the sacrifice of Your Son on the cross. You did it for us.

Wishing you a joyful and spiritual Lenten season!

Candyce

If you’d like to add something to help you observe Lent, consider one of the many plans available through the YouVersion Bible App. It’s chock-full of devotions to help us commemorate Lent. The one I’m reading is titled, “Lent Journey.”