Feb. 20 - The Pre-Lenten Season Begins Today

Based on the First Lesson for this day, Joshua 1:1-9

The Pre-Lenten Season begins today. You might not have been thinking about Lent yet (right?). That’s why there’s a “pre-Lenten” season. The sobriety and spiritual reflection of Lent isn’t something to jump into cold. Today through Ash Wednesday, I will be reflecting on the Peoria Church theme for Lent: “The Difference Prayer Makes.” Between now and Ash Wednesday, I need to think about a way or ways my life of prayer might be different for the better. For Lent, then, how might I put that change into action?

The Hebrews didn't enter the Promised Land unprepared. In fact, under Moses' leadership they had 40 years of preparation in the wilderness and desert of Sinai. God was ready for with a leader: Joshua the son of Nun.

Lent isn't a desert nor is it wilderness. Lent is usually the most meaningful time of the Church Year for me. It seems to be my pattern that Lent is the time of year that I take living in God's Promised Land most seriously.

In Lent, I hear God say to me, as He said to Joshua: "as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." I know I will fail in my fasting, I will yield to temptation. My discipline will fall short and every morning my prayer will be the same:
"I have left undone those things which I ought to have done and I have done those things which I ought not to have done." In spite of my failures, God will not fail or forsake me.

Three times in today's lesson God speaks these words to Joshua: "Be strong and of a good courage." In preparing for Lent, these are the by-words. In accepting a discipline for Lent, I know that strength and courage are necessary for completing it well.

It's easy for me to try something that is either way too hard or way too easy. Several years I've tried to completely abstain from television or meat or the internet. In all cases I've failed miserably. And the times I've not taken the Lenten fast seriously, I've lost any meaning because my commitment has been to the season has been tepid.

Lord, help me be strong and courageous as Lent approaches. Help me have an honest evaluation of my spiritual life and guide me in the way I should go to follow Thee in the Promised Land of Thy Son, in Whose Name I pray. Amen.

Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:9)