Getting Ready

February is a big month. That may sound strange since it is actually the smallest month, although it does try to stretch out this year. But, you see I’m from Louisiana so when Mardi Gras comes it’s always a big time. And Mardi Gras is just the beginning, actually to be honest, it is the end. It is the end of the season after Epiphany and the next day is the beginning. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent. And Lent is a time of getting ready.

In the same way that Advent is a time of getting ready for the coming of the Messiah, Lent is a time of getting ready for what is probably the most significant events in the history of mankind—the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. What does that mean for us, as individuals and as individuals living in community with one another? What is expected of us as people of God, as people of this country, the city, this school, our families? These are all questions that are worthy of examining and Lent is the time to do it. It is a time of prayer and reflection and hopefully a time of preparation—of getting ready for the Easter event.

I think Lent gets short changed when all we think of is what we are going to give up, or maybe what we are going to take on. Lent is not about giving up chocolate for a month or so, or denying yourself some pleasure simply to see if you can do it. It is a spiritual exercise that is designed to bring us closer to God. More simply put, it is a time through thoughtful consideration and prayer to try to bring ourselves closer to God so that we can more easily understand and experience the love that God wants to share with us.

But as Lent approaches, we need to remember what we are getting ready for—we are getting ready for the biggest day of the church year. The day we received the greatest gift we will ever receive because of the greatest sacrifice that has ever been made. How do we get closer to God who did these things for us? Well, what sacrifices are we willing to make? What gifts are we willing to give?

Big things are about to happen. Let’s get ready.