A 40 Day Counter Cultural Journey

I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world.

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. John 17:11; 15–16

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of Lent, a 40-day period (46 including Sundays) leading up to Easter. For some of us those words provides no new information. For others, while we understand the words, they represent an experience or practice unfamiliar to us. When you read those words, are you curious, confused, or complacent?

Entering into the season of Lent is a new thing to me. It was not part of the tradition from which I come. So, for me, it is an exciting time to enter more fully and more personally into the story of Easter. It is a time to look at my finitude, my frailty, my pain and even my death, not in a depressive or self obsessed way, but in way that allows me to intentionally step outside of the cultural milieu where these realities are simply not to be dwelt upon. In Lent, we step into those seemingly dark realities, even as we count each day closer to the approaching light of the resurrection, which once upon us tears away the veil of darkness and shouts, “death, where is your sting, death where is your victory?”

I invite you to enter into the season with me and with the community of Creekside Covenant Church. You can choose to give up some things during this period if that helps you enter into the story. Likewise, you can add things in. We have produced a Lenten Devotional if you would like a daily practice of scripture. Think about attending our Ash Wednesday service tonight at 7:00 at Highland Covenant Church. What other ways might you, your friends or family join together in this season of Lent? Whatever you do, do not let it become a legalism, but allow it to be the grace of seeing yourself through different eyes so that you can move more fully into Easter.

Share your ideas with me and with others so that we might all journey together the journey of transformation into disciples of Jesus.

Peace, hope and love

Doug