All is not well with the world. We are watching a full-blown war in Ukraine, one with the potential to create lasting and far-reaching devastation, God forbid. Elsewhere the pandemic continues, with each jurisdiction experiencing different effects and outcomes. Despite all of this, I want to say, “It is well with my soul.”
But I am so done. I am so utterly tired. I have moments when I feel upset with where the world is going. Then I have moments of serenity when peace washes over me, when I know that God is in control. It doesn’t seem that way, does it? Well, this is our doing, not his.
Why Lent?
We have now entered the Lent period, which began last Wednesday and continues until the day before Good Friday. Lent is a time when we Christians remember our Saviour’s death on the cross. We do this by commemorating the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the desert before he began his ministry, as described in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
I did not grow up observing Lent, but I am now.
I was curious to find out how others observe Lent. Some say it is good to fast from something you feel has power over you or your time. This could be sweets or meat or social media. Others try to give up something like swearing, making fun of others, not getting angry, etc. In a more positive approach, some take on something good, and try to say something positive to someone every day or show love to someone in a practical way. Others learn a Bible verse every day. The possibilities are numerous.
Love As Motivation for Lent
Doing something or not doing something will help build self-discipline for sure, but I feel like I need to look beyond that. I want to love God more and love my neighbour more. Love, in the Bible, is linked to giving, which is not far from doing. Our supreme example of love is God, our Creator. He gave his Son for us (John 3:16). It was his ultimate expression of love. Thankfully, God is not asking me to give my sons; he is only asking me to love him and my neighbours. And that is hard, as world events would suggest, for every one of us.
Knowing that I am loved, and that nothing can make God love me less (Romans 8:38-39), gives me courage to love and serve others. This is my motivation during Lent. Whatever way I choose to observe Lent, it will be motivated by God’s love for me and by God’s love pouring out through me, so God help me!
Pandemic, war, how am I to think about these and not get anxious and fear for my future and for future generations? A verse comes to mind: II Timothy 1:7: “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of self-control.”
As we observe Lent, let’s remember these words, take confidence in God, and look for ways to love and serve others. When we do this, we share God’s love and its incredible potential to heal and change lives. His love is what inspires hope within me, hope for renewal and restoration. His love gives me the strength to say, “It is well with my soul.”
LD is a Program and Volunteer Leader at M2/W2 Association –Restorative Christian Ministries.