Lent - A Celebration of Jesus' Mission Life

Lent is a celebration of Jesus’ mission life as He walked to the cross—a reminder of what He did for us—He died for us, but He also prayed for us, loved us, and led many to His Father. He died to His human self and only did what He saw His Father do. I must die to myself in order to be able to hear Him and to follow in His footsteps.

So, what does that actually mean? Last year I gave up chocolate, but as soon as Lent was over I ate chocolate—not much different than holding my breath for 46 days. (Who said that Lent is only 40 days?) My “self” did not die.

I think I’m getting it. Lent is a time to help me remember . . . but if I really want to DO the work of the Father, a part of me will actually have to die—not pop back up after 46 days. For me, that probably means allowing God to show me the ways I do not submit to the authority that He has put me under: speed limits, no little refrigerator in my classroom, things like that. If I do not submit to an authority I can actually see, then how can He trust me to submit to His authority? He has gently whispered to me that I needed to bring that little refrigerator home and that I need to obey the speed limits—and not just for 46 days.

The refrigerator came back home and He has blessed me by opening up my classroom as an amazing mission field. Almost daily, I have an opportunity to share Him with one of my students—and yes, it’s a public school.

What about my driving? Well, He has blessed me with peace. I drive the speed limit. At first, I had to remind myself to slow down every 50 feet (literally). For you, Lord . . . But I felt so terrible for the poor people who got stuck behind me on the winding roads out in Clifton, where I live, and decided that I would just pull over and let them pass me. But then more would come. . . . The Lord told me: “Pray for my sheep on this road.” So, the streets on which I drive are now a mission field—endless opportunities to pray for all the people in their cars all around.

Thank you, Precious Jesus. You have shown me how to do the work of the Father—and you are allowing me to do just a tiny bit of it. It has been my heart’s desire.

Lent. A time to remember that if I want to follow Jesus to the cross, I must do as He did, in submission to His Father's authority: pray for those He sends to me, love the ones He loves, and then lead those He has placed in my life—my mission field—to His Father.