Second Wave

“Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart…”Joel 2:12

Here we are, right in the middle of Lent.  For some of us it has been a blessed, fruitful, prayerful many days of walking with the Lord.  For some of us, we might be wrestling with an “oh shoot” moment as we look back on the plans we made three weeks ago because the actions haven’t quite matched the plans.  The good news…Jesus loves you no matter how your plans have played out.  Don’t look at it as being stuck in the middle, look at it as a chance to “pour it on” and finish the second half strong.  The Father knows the intent of our heart so if you need it…get your engine started without comparing your Lent to anybody else’s…it’s just yours and yours alone.  Chat with Jesus about it, not your neighbor. Whether you are looking at a re-start today or a new challenge to add to your Lenten practices here are some things to ponder and pray about.
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Lent is a beautifully personal season in our life as disciples.  The readings and practices are steeped in rich opportunities to grow closer to Jesus and cooperate more fully with his plan for us.  If we think of all the things in a week that grab our time and attention, living out our sainthood should claim spot number one…talk about a worthwhile focus for the second three weeks of Lent.  Take some time to be still for a bit and take a look at the first half of your Lent.  Make a list of the things you’ve done well and another list of the places you might like to focus. Discipline, stillness, servant heartedness and prayerfulness don’t come at the snap of a finger; they take effort, mindfulness and discipline.  Jot down the activities that make up a “usual” day and see where you’re spending your time. As you prayerfully muster up the grit to dive in, here are some thoughts that might guide your prayers and your actions.

**Do not practice what you do not want to become.
**How your practice is how you’ll perform.
**Repeated actions are amplified over time.
**Busy and productive are often very different things…which are you?
**We can do things right but sometimes not do the right thing.
The ultimate truth about Lent is that it’s not about what you do for Jesus, it’s about what you let him do for you.  Things like surrender, trust and stillness are what Jesus is inviting us to and they are infinitely more transformative than giving up wine or chocolate. As you head into the second wave of Lent, start with them and see where he leads you and what he brings to your heart on Easter Sunday.

A Seed To Plant:  Make those lists mentioned in the post and pick one of the thoughts that hit your heart and let them be your guide as you begin this third week of Lent.

Blessings on your day!