I mumble when people ask about how Lent is going. I promoted preparing for Easter, but this year I’m bombing it. How could I have allowed Lent to gather lint?
God is teaching me this season but not through my Lenten intention as He has in the past. I wrote about His authority over my life in last week’s blog, Who’s the Boss Here, and about His lordship of time in Almighty’s Time, two weeks ago. Since He is teaching me of His supremacy it makes sense to let go of my Lenten expectations and to pursue God’s leading, but His sovereignty isn’t what I think about when I think of the events of Easter week.
I usually associate Easter with Jesus’ mending my relationship with God and then giving me a new life.
We were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4
To live out my new life, I choose God’s will over my own.
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 16:24-25
Ah, that’s how God’s sovereignty meshes with Easter.
I strive to incorporate what Jesus accomplished at Easter in daily living. This means not arguing with the persons in charge of a moving party. It means abandoning my schedule when someone interrupts my plans. It means not orchestrating weekend plans, when it’s not my responsibility. It means trusting God’s provision when insurance denies my medication.
It means not telling God what He’s going to do in me during Lent or for me on Easter morning. I see now where He has been leading these past weeks. I look forward to His leading this weekend.
What has God been showing you during this Easter season?
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.