Ash Wednesday is here, which means Easter is on the horizon. Easter is one of the biggest celebrations for the church. But, how do we experience the joy, celebration, power, and resurrection that Easter promises in our own lives? To find out, let’s take a journey…

We live in a world that tells us our wants and desires are the most important things and are what define us. Not only that, these wants and desires are what culture promises will bring us joy, power, and life. If we have a hunger, then it should be fed. If we have a desire, then it should be filled! However, Ash Wednesday and Lent communicates a radically different message. This season uniquely points us to Jesus and re-shapes our hearts and lives around the power of the cross. The Lent journey teaches us that our wants and desires are not what define us but rather we are defined and given life through Jesus and the life-giving work of the cross.

You see, we will never experience the joy, celebration, power, and resurrection that God promises through Easter, if we never take the journey.

I found this to be true in my own life. Last year, I decided to say “No” to myself at the Ash Wednesday service and gave up TV (which included Netflix!) for the journey of Lent. The purpose of giving up TV was to create intentional space to be able to connect with God and with others in a deeper and more profound way. It was pretty difficult at first but the margin helped me to create some new rhythms that shaped my heart and life.

Then, on Easter, I was able to celebrate in a more powerful and meaningful way because I had a deeper understanding of what it means to deny myself and in its place be defined by God’s joy, celebration, power, and life. But, this experience was possible because I responded to the invitation of the Lent journey.

So, will you say “YES” to this season and journey of Lent? If so, I believe you will see and experience the resurrected new life that God has and wants for all of us.

God bless you as we journey together…

Mike Myers