by Rose Petals

Created on: April 05, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

Last year was the first year in my life I had ever participated in Lent. In fact I was under the impression that Lent was mostly observed by the Catholics and I am Methodist. So I was quite surprised when our Pastor told us we would be having an Ash Wednesday service in preparation for Lent.

I was not real sure what this season was all about. In fact the only thing I really knew of it was it was a Holy season before Easter. Thankfully after leaving the Ash Wednesday service, we received little booklets with daily prayers for the entire season of Lent. I was pretty heavy in Bible study and devotional reading each day so this booklet fit right in.

I found myself as each day progressed becoming more aware of Christ, who He was, who He is, and what his sacrifice meant to me. I had wonderful meditations and reflections about this Jesus who willingly gave His life so that I could live mine.

I had a very significant religious experience during this season. So significant that I kept a journal throughout the season and wrote a book about it myself. No it's not published. Maybe one day I will, I am using this particular chapter in my life to testify as to the importance of this time of year.

Lent is a time to draw near our Christ and THE CROSS. It will open your eyes, bless you, give you a deeper relationship with Jesus. But most of all it will give you reason to celebrate on Easter morning. Not because some fictional rabbit came by your house and left you some colored eggs and candy, but because God fulfilled His promise to us. Jesus rose from the grave and is alive. And He offers this redemption to us all. Our hope was dead and then it was alive again, reborn, renewed and refreshed.

Praise God for His wonder, mystery and love. Thank you Jesus for bearing that cross upon which my own sins were placed. Give me my cross to bear and let me see your light.

This is the reason we celebrate this season. Forget about Peter Cottontail! He is a fable, a lie, a myth. The truth is Jesus. The Resurrection and The Light.

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