Lent Devotional // Week 3
by Meredith Meadows
Ephesians 2:1-5 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgression––it is by grace you have been saved.
Consider This
Lent is a period of 40 days, excluding Sundays, that extends from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday. Many people fast from something during this time as a way to focus more on the Lord and prepare their hearts for Easter. But, what about Sundays?
Sundays are supposed to be like little Easters, which allows us to weave hope and celebration into the otherwise somber practice of Lent. So, what does this mean? How do we practice mini-Easters? Well, that gets at what we believe Easter signifies. Easter is a day of rejoicing and celebrating that Christ has risen from the grave and overcome sin and death once and for all. It is a day for us to turn our hearts to God’s promise of new life that is found in Christ.
During Lent, we fast as a response to our brokenness. As the Scripture above says, “We were dead in our sins.” But it doesn’t end with that. We also feast as a response to God’s divine grace. “It is by grace you have been saved.” On Sundays during Lent, we take intentional time each week to feast and celebrate and turn our hearts to God’s love poured out for our sins on the cross.
So practically, what does this look like? On Sunday, take time to participate in corporate worship, spend intentional time in fellowship with other believers, and feast by enjoying the things you have felt led to fast from and allowing that enjoyment to stir your heart to worship God.
Prayer
Father God, we come to you with hearts of worship for the finished work of Christ. May our attitudes be that of fasting and feasting during this Lenten season. May we not have one without the other. As we fast, help us to appropriately grieve our brokenness, while celebrating your divine Grace as we feast. In all things may our hearts be stirred to worship and adore the Risen King.
The Question
What has the Lord laid on your heart to fast from during Lent? How might you worship Him more in this act of fasting?
What is one thing you can do this Sunday as part of your mini-Easter celebration?
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