Following the Father
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”
With Lent right around the corner, I’ve been thinking a lot about denial. What am I giving up? What am I adding in? What do I want to grow in? What should I be doing? What needs to be cut out? What habits do I need to break? Where is Jesus calling me to follow Him?
Sisters, that last question is the one we should really be asking. Our lenten devotions and denials are meant to draw us into deeper relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We’re meant to deny ourselves and take up our crosses so that we can follow Him better because...
Lent is all about following the Father.
Sisters, as you’re choosing all the stuff to “give up” or “add in” for lent, remember to keep the Father in mind. Maybe the better questions to ask are these: what can I give up to create more space for God in my life? What is keeping me from growing in holiness? What habits are holding me back from God? What patterns are getting in the way of my relationship with God? What can I do to grow in holiness this lent? How can I structure my week to become more united to God?
Sisters, all too often, we treat lent like a self-improvement project, New Year’s Resolution, or crash course in self-control. But our lenten devotions aren’t for that - they’re meant to draw us into the need that we have for our Father in Heaven and to orient us back to Him. So let’s make this our best lent by putting our focus back on following the Father.
Father,
Thank You for offering us a faith and a tradition that provides seasons. Thank You for giving us these seasons to grow closer to You with a deeper intentionality.
God, help us to choose sacrifices this lent that give You glory - that make space for us to grow closer to You and that provide opportunities for us to suffer with You.
God, we love You. Teach us how to lean into Lent so as to give You glory. Amen.