WHAT WOULD YOU COMMIT YOURSELF TO DO DURING THE SEASON OF LENT?
There are so many events that the Churches across the denominations will be organizing during Lent. Among the many things that the church would be planning is making appeals with building facilities that would help communities in developing nations to have access to clean water through the charity called "Water Aid". Some churches would be raising funds to help charities like Christian Aid, Barnabas, Blind Welfare Society, Cancer Research, etc. These efforts are quite commendable. They reflect the love of Christ in His mission to the poor and homeless. There are special services organized in various churches at this time; such services help bring communities of people together to study the word of God and to intercede for each other.
One of the stark reminders of Lent is our human condition and our need to repent. It is a season that requires introspection. A time to examine ourselves, consciously and honestly. We are to critically examine ourselves to see where we have been found wanting. Like David, we should make confessions like, "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy unfailing love: according to your great compassion
Page 3
compassion blot out my transgressions" (Psalm 51:1). The season should instigate us to make such confessions and ask God to forgive us our sins and to draw us closer to Him. We cannot confess our shortcomings and go recommitting those wrongs we have been forgiven of. The Catholics have a day in the week in which they would approach the confessional, kneel down, and confess their sins. The priest would be present in an enclosed place listening to their confessions. The priest would then ask them to say a certain number of "Hail Marys" or other instructions. The priest would pray for them and absolve their sins with the sign of the cross.
As Believers in Christ, we are required to confess our sins as part of the process of receiving forgiveness, pardon, and reconciliation. We are to confess our sins to God because it is only He who can cleanse and forgive us from all unrighteousness. Confession makes room to deal with our guilt feelings and sin. Confession allows the Spirit of God to flow into our lives, unhindered. Confession is about being truthful before God when we stand in His presence. Confession helps us to be released from sin. There is a spiritual benefit in confession. We feel so much relieved when we confess those things which have plagued our hearts. "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:8-9).
The season of Lent is a constant reminder that Satan is alive and
Page 4
kicking. Satan is out there to make us trip. Drawing closer to Christ through prayer, fasting, and meditation is a way of arming ourselves for the fight against such a stubborn foe, Satan. Without our concerted effort to pray actively and seek the Lord passionately, we would be weak and defenceless against the attacks of Satan. Our spiritual preparation in this period of Lent will definitely put us at an advantage over the "wiles of the devil". Remember that when you are clothed by the Spirit of God, you remain clothed. The Spiritual exercise in Lent (for lack of a better word) will sustain us even after Easter. The strength we gained, the revelation we experienced, and the anointing we felt in the Lent season of active prayer and praise will forever empower us to go through life's journeys.