Dear New McKendree Church Family,

Believe it or not, the Lenten season is already upon us.  Next Wednesday, March 5, we’ll gather at High Street to kick off Lent 2025 with our Ash Wednesday worship service that will include the traditional imposition of ashes.

I haven’t always been a fan of Lent.  While I believe in the necessity of Lent, I confess that there was a time in the not-too-distant past when not only was I not very good at the whole Lenten thing, but I didn’t even try to be good at it.  It wasn’t long ago that I thought Lent was just an old, worn-out tradition that had outlived its relevance and usefulness.  Thankfully, the wisdom of the years has taught me that that is not the case.  What’s more, I’ve come to accept that my Christian life depends on the spiritual disciplines that the Lenten season demands.  And, you know what; so does yours! 

Face it: we need Lent.  We need the spiritual disciplines associated with the season and the individual reflection and personal inventory that an honest observance of the season entails.

For many of us (and I’ve always been one of them), exercising our faith entails doing a lot of “stuff.”  As we’ve grown in our faith, we’ve also become more active in our faith community, A.K.A., our church, and our church’s many ministries.  That’s a good thing; a natural and outward expression of our inward and personal relationship with God.  But, even the most dedicated Christian servants need to break free from all the “outward stuff” and go intentionally to that deep place within…that place on the inside where the very image of God resides.

Believe me; such a journey to your inward depths is not easy.  Wading through all your failings, faults, and shortcomings is a humbling experience.  It takes a lot of courage to allow yourself to see you as God sees you.  And, Lord knows that it takes discipline to intentionally disengage from the outward stuff you do to examine your failings and weaknesses in light of God’s love.  But if you do accept the Lenten invitation and all the challenges that go with it, you won’t be disappointed.  Why?  Deep within that solemn place awaits your custom-made version of God’s healing love, the one-on-one guidance of his wisdom, and the personal assurance of his saving grace.  And then, when you emerge from that place deep within yourself and step back into the “stuff” of life, the blessing you’ve received inside will be evidenced by your God-perfected love and service to others on the outside.  So, go ahead.  Do Lent.  It won’t be easy, but it’ll be worth it!