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
Meet John. John has served our community through Mariners Irvine for the past five years. He tutors people in English and other subjects through our Learning Centers in Santa Ana, and volunteers in our Irvine Resource Center every week. As I listened to John share his story with me today, he was overwhelmed talking about the relationships that have been built and how he’s seen God move. While I was talking with him in the Resource Center, a lady came over with tears in her eyes and said, “John is my hero.” She went on to describe how John had served her through the Resource Center when she was pregnant, getting her everything she needed for her and her family. She finished by saying, “I am so grateful for this church, this Community Center and for John.” I love the story God is writing in our church. I love that we are writing a beautiful story in Orange County – one of love…redemption…kindness…and compassion – showing what the Gospel looks like lived out as followers of Jesus. I’m so grateful to be on this journey with you and I can’t wait as this year unfolds to see what God will do through each and every one of us.
