The Lenten Season, a time for “self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and mediating on God’s Holy Word” (United Methodist Book of Worship, 322) has arrived. Ash Wednesday began our journey, the forty days, not counting Sundays, before Easter. Lent is a time for us to step back, see where we have been, where we are, and where we want to be. “As the deer pants for streams of water, so [our] soul pants for you O, God” (Psalm 42:1).

I wonder if Lent appeals to Christians anymore?  Do we seek God?  Just consider my thoughts on the matter.  Self-examination is a complicated endeavor.  We have been told, since childhood, to be pleased with ourselves. We also remember exams during our educational experiences and sometimes examination did not give us the result we desired.  To complicate the examination process further, many would say I am rather pleased with myself and regardless what others think of me, self-examination is simply out of the question.  I like who I am and the rest of the world, including God, can accept me or not!  I like me.

Then some would say, “How is your prayer life?”  Most would say they like prayers, “Pray God will do something for me all of the time”, but not sure how much further I should go in my prayer life.  As far as repentance, heck, I repent every time I do something wrong, I just forget to stop doing the wrong.  Remember, I like me and that is all that counts.  Then comes the fasting and self-denial.  Forget it, remember I like me and nothing else counts!  Self-examination, repentance, prayer, fasting, self-denial, and engaging God’s Word is for those not like me.

Well, I think you got the point.  I know I have.  We have to spend more time seeking God.  We have to endure the process of self-examination and repentance, by spending time with God and finding out where we have been, where we are, and where God wants us to be.  We have to practice more self-denial, fasting, and spending more time reading and meditating on God’s Word and getting involved with more Christians in small group Bible studies.

If you and I will check the depths of our soul during Lent, we will admit that we “have gone astray, each of us has turned to his [or her] own way, and the Lord has laid on [Jesus] the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).  The good news is that Jesus understands, went to the cross for each of us, and is willing to carry our iniquities, our shortcomings, our troubles, our pains, and our sorrows all along the way.  As newborns, we are cradled in God’s loving arms until we are complete again, that is remade into the image God intended for us.

I am excited about the path that God is revealing to Algiers United Methodist Church.  I look forward to making the pilgrimage to the cross with you and the journey beyond.  Be open to the new light and vision in which God is revealing, as God’s middle name is Surprise.  Surprising change is potentially possible for each one of us and the church as a whole, if we will utilize the Lenten season to bring about change in our life. 

You know, I have discovered that God knew the results of my self-examination and God still loves me.  God knows your results and will still love you.  Get involved in the Lenten Bible study starting March 7.  Seek out God and see what God has planned for you.  Ask God to give you a new spirit, a new vision, and take hold of God’s grace.  Is God calling you to start a home Bible study?  Is God calling you to forgive someone?  Is God calling you to start a new career?  Is God just calling you to bring about newness?

Spend some time with God this month and see what develops.  God is waiting.  Can you say your “soul pants for you, O God?”  Allow God to be the newly found treasure, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

My love to each.  Allow me to journey with you.  Allow me to assist in your prayers and self-examination.  At least be open to God’s guidance, as God loves you, believes in you, and sent God’s Son to save you.  Be ready for the Passion and Resurrection.