I thought when I wrote my devo for the 2021 Lenten season that there had been a lot of change in 2020. It seems that the year of 2021 was no different. We saw two great staff members off to new chapters of their lives. We have continued to wrestle with the unknown of the world around us. In-building, online, and in-person ministry have happened. Some aspects of ministry have remained the same and other areas of ministry are still trying to figure out our new normal. In the midst of so much change, what has excited me the most has been the desire to continue to minister to our body and our community, despite all of the changes around us.

As we begin this season of Lent rightfully focused on Jesus’ life, I can’t help but remind us of the end of the story. What is the last charge Jesus gives before ascending to the Father?

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)

Jesus gave us the example of how to live in His life, death, and resurrection. That should cause us not just to declare His name as Savior (which He IS) but should compel us to declare Him as Lord of our life too. Let’s take this season of Lent to get to know Jesus better – to both know Him and make Him known in our lives. I’ll end with a few verses that have stayed with me since we spent time with them in the fall.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV)

Lord, we pray that in this season of Lent we would turn our lives back to you and the example you gave. Help us to be reminded not only of what you did, but also to have the courage and perseverance to live a life modeled after your example. We place this 2022 Lent season in your hands. Amen.