During Lent, the Church invites us to pray more, by adding extra services to the liturgical schedule. We are also prescribed a discipline of strict fasting based on what each person’s health allows.

It is a time of reflection and repentance, a time to draw nearer to God, a time to renew our relationship with God.

During this renewal process we are reminded just HOW MUCH GOD LOVES US.  God is not sitting on His Throne with a stick to bop us over the head, if we don’t measure up; rather, He is sitting with His arms open wide to embrace us with His love, to welcome us back into the fold, and if we never left the fold, to infuse us with extra grace and power to become better people than we were before.

Many people think they aren’t good enough to come to God, or that they have to “clean up”, so to speak, before they come back to church.  Others feel they’ve failed because their faith was weak … they may feel as if their faith fluctuates according to the “tides of life.”

What does Jesus say about it? He says; “Come unto me all ye who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Jesus is waiting for us to approach Him with faith, with love, with repentance, with respect.  He will do the rest, to help us in our daily lives. He will empower us to have victorious lives. All He asks of us is to be willing to humble ourselves, and to approach Him with love and worship.

This Lenten season, come and renew your relationship with Jesus, and if you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, you too may come, because He is waiting for you. Just come wherever you are in life, for He loves you no matter what.

To God be the Glory forever and ever. Amen.