Ash Wednesday was yesterday and with it began Lent. Yet, likely few of us even noticed or perhaps know what Lent is, and we are worse for it. Lent is an annual season of fasting and prayer in preparation for Easter, beginning on Ash Wednesday and lasting 40 weekdays to Easter.

While growing up my family never participated in Lent and frankly I was confused about what it was. I thought it was merely a Catholic tradition which was quite odd to me. I knew it began on Ash Wednesday in which during the Wednesday evening mass, burnt ash was lightly rubbed on an individual's forehead and left there for the night. This was followed by 40 days of often legalistic abstaining from some type of food or event. But for what reason I had no idea and it appeared quite spiritually ineffectual for my Catholic friends.

It wasn't until my wife and I were dating after college that she taught me what Lent was really about and the value of it. Lent is a beautiful opportunity to meditate on Christ's incredible obedience and sacrifice that wrought for us eternal life and joy. Lent helps focus our hearts and minds on Christ by making an intentional effort to fast and pray while focusing on the need for, accomplishment and merits of Christ's substitutionary death.

Let's face it, we are often intellectually lazy. We attempt too few things that involve focusing, self-denial, disciplining our mind in meditation and critical thought. Yet just a couple weeks ago we studied and heard preached Colossians 3:2-4, "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." And now Lent is upon us and provides a very practical opportunity to do just what this text says, "to set our mind on things that are above," and think on how we have died with Jesus and our lives are inextricably wrapped up in Him.

I encourage you to prepare your heart and mind for Easter this year. To make Easter more than plaid shirts, pastel colors, Easter bunnies and chocolate by participating in Lent. Here is a link to get you started with devotionals for Lent. http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Articles/ByDate/2007/2033_Lenten_Lights/#SomeWords

You can read them weekly from now until Easter, or daily starting on the Saturday before Palm Sunday. May the Lord bless your hearts and minds.

Striving in Lent with you,

Matthew