Preparing for Lent

The wooden fence stands in pensive silence on a windless, winter day. The snow has melted, the temperature has risen above freezing, and even the sun has decided to show its face. Yet, signs of life seems far away in this photograph that reflects light and shadows in shades of brown and gray.

Sometimes the bleakness of winter makes us feel like this wooden fence — gray, knotty, and unproductive. Yet inside, there is life, color and vibrancy waiting to burst into our lives and break through the passive bubble of dark seclusion that blocks out the light of God. We were meant to live a life of joy, excitement and wholeness in Jesus Christ. And through the cracks in our lives, His light is breaking through.

But there is more — much, much more. The brightness that keeps us going in our winter moments is increasing. And the joy of Jesus is making us stronger. The Lord is calling us to draw closer to His Heart and see what He is doing. The old is gone; the new has already started. Look not at the grayness of winter or the grayness of the economy. Look at Jesus Christ, and you will find hope and a future and be able to shine.

May you be blessed by this blog. If you haven't yet found a good, uplifting devotional book to read during Lent, check out Awaken Me! 40 Day Challenge. To see and hear a 2-minute reading from this book, click here.

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