A TIME OF RENEWAL

BY REV. LON LEWIS

SPRIT LAKE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

I always find myself in a time of personal renewal as I journey through the season of Lent. This is such a wonderful time to grow in our faith in so many ways.

The Lenten journey has been called the "Paschal Mystery," which refers to the fact that Jesus, the paschal Lamb, is sacrificed for us and our sins. It is all about the saving work of Jesus Christ and our participation in that event.

An important emphasis during the season of Lent revolves around the Church taking part in God's action through Jesus Christ, and in a very real sense we live and die and rise with Christ.

That is why we gather on Palm/Passion Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter morning, etc, as a community of faith. We are living, dying and rising with Jesus Christ.

Rev. James Moore talks about the Lenten journey as a "road trip" that we make each year. He states in "On the Road Again -- A Faith Journey:"

"Each year as we move toward Easter, we make a road trip. We join Jesus on the road as he moves to and through the cross ... In a real sense, we could say that Jesus spent his whole life on the road. He was born on a road trip. He died on a road trip. And one of his most dramatic post-resurrection appearances occurred on the road to Emmaus."

We all need an occasional "road trip", don't we? Well, here is our opportunity for a very meaningful road trip with Jesus this Lenten season. It is the kind of road trip that can truly change your life in ways that you cannot even imagine!

I pray you will take advantage of the opportunity to walk with Jesus on a road trip that will truly make a difference for you. Let us take seriously our need for repentance, turning from sin, and turning toward the Lord. May you have a blessed and life-changing road trip with Jesus this Lenten/Easter season and beyond!