The Better Man- Into the Wilderness

I did not grow up celebrating Lent. In fact, I had never heard of this practice and tradition until I was about 26 years old. It wasn’t until I became a member of the Methodist Church that I begin to grasp the rich meaning within the Lenten season: the crosses of ash on Ash Wednesday, the choice to give up something sacrificial during the 40 days of Lent, the joyous waving of branches on Palm Sunday, the Lord’s Supper and washing of feet on Maundy Thursday, the somber Tenebrae service of Good Friday, the quiet reflection of Silent Saturday, and the complete glory of Resurrection Sunday. It is such a special time of year!

We are now past Ash Wednesday and are into the nitty gritty days of Lent. Some have chosen to give up social media, TV, alcohol, caffeine, meat, sugar, “choice” foods like in the Book of Daniel, and other things. While this is not a “requirement” of the Christian or members of Austin Global Methodist Church, it is a unique opportunity to become a living sacrifice with millions of other believers around the world. If you haven’t tried to give up anything or take anything on this Lent, it’s not too late to decide to be a living sacrifice now.

This Sunday, we continued our Lenten sermon series “The Better Man”, comparing and contrasting the life and leadership of Moses and Jesus. This week was a reflection on the fast of Moses and the fast of Jesus and how Jesus calls us into the wilderness for seasons of fasting.

As you walk with Jesus this Lent, continue strong in your fast, knowing you are not alone. You have the Holy Spirit. You are one of many on this journey with Jesus into the wilderness. Dare to go further than you thought before, with his Spirit living inside you.  

Let us continue to pray the Prayer of Saint Ephrem: O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou, unto ages of ages. Amen.

Blessings,

Rev. Lauren Green Yates, MDiv.

Pastor of Austin Global Methodist Church

austingmcpastor@gmail.com 

737-287-4716