Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock. It originated in the very earliest days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. By observing the forty days of Lent, the individual Christian imitates Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days.
Jesus came out of the wilderness filled with power, purpose and mission. Let’s remember this year that Lent is not simply a time of admitting our sinfulness and feeling remorseful. It is, instead, a time to prepare for ministry. In our preparation we may very well need to divest ourselves of sin, for sin hinders our usefulness in the Kingdom of God, and bars us from access to His power. But there is something more important than that. This is a time to come to grips with the fact that God has a plan and a purpose for us. This is a time to seek clarity in this, so that we can go forth in power, purpose and mission.
