Day Two
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. That is a calendar truth.
Lent begins in the love of God. That is a spiritual truth.
At any time of year, but perhaps especially during Lent, the way we talk about confession and repentance is a delicate thing that must be treated with precision and care. In some churches and circles it becomes little more than a message about how horrible we are…and how angry God is. The language of grace is discarded in favor of words that are punitive, sometimes even petty, and the “good news” of the gospel becomes anything but good.
As we begin our journey to the cross for Lent, we need to root ourselves in the truth that it is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance (Rom. 2:4). The invitation to take this journey is one that comes from a heart of love, not disapproval.
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”—John 3:17 (ESV)
The journey of Lent is not one of condemnation, but transformation. God desires nothing less for us. He wants to set us free. He wants to reveal Himself to us and through us. He wants to see us conformed to the image of his Son (Rom. 8:29). These are not the desires of an angry, petty deity…they are the desires of One who loves us with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3) and knows how best to remove any barrier between that love and our hearts.
There will be temptations over the next few weeks to allow the depth of our brokenness and need overwhelm us to the point that we forget what sets us on this journey in the first place: the incomprehensible, unfailing, wondrous love of God. Don’t ever let the false voices of condemnation drown out the beautiful truth at the center of this song:
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul?
What wondrous love is this, O my soul?
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul?
Read the rest of the lyrics here.
Questions for Reflection
1) What practices help you stay rooted in the love of God? If you struggle to think of any, Lent is a wonderful season to ask God to guide you into some new ways of connecting to his love.
2) This lyrics of this song are a powerful testament to God’s love, yet the tune is written in a minor key, which is usually associated with sadness and sorrow. Why do you think this pairing was made? What does it evoke in you?
3) In another verse of this song we’re reminded of what Jesus left behind to come to Earth and give his life for us: “Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.” Take a moment and ask God to grant you during this Lenten season a deeper understanding of the humility Christ showed by submitting to the cross. How is our Lenten journey also one of humility, and how does it help us identify with Jesus?
4) Common barriers to fully receiving the love of God are the false images of him that we have been exposed to through our lives, which cause us to believe things about him that are simply not true. If you have those kind of barriers in your past, how might God be inviting you to release them to him and receive healing?
5) Read and reflect on this verse. Let it lead you into prayerful worship and gratitude:
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”—Romans 5:8 (NIV)