Eat up! Lent is coming.

Happy marti gras! And a big Fat Tuesday to all who will begin their Lenten journey on Wednesday. Lent is one of my favorite religious celebrations for so many reasons. As I was shepherding a friend along her spiritual journey I had this new thought to add to my love for this 40 day period of reflection and contemplation.

I wrote this in a text:

"Lent is not just a journey towards the great Easter celebration but a pathway that leads to Pentecost where we begin the great commission of our faith."

Just as Jesus prepared himself for his ministry by going out into the wilderness to fast and pray, so to shall we enter the wilderness of life faithfully relying on the Spirit of God to guide us. Let us use the time to find our faith, our strength, our discipline, and our beloved Creator as we seek to imitate Jesus, the beloved Son. The one named Emanuel, or "God with us."

So as you fast from the things in life that pull you away from being like him, may you also feast on all that is good in life that draws you closer to him.