Dear friends in Christ,
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Amidst all the chaos and difficulties of our present world, it might seem that Lent is an unwelcome guest. More sorrow! More hardship! But I think Lent is the gift we all need.
As for me, I’m looking forward to a season that re-focuses me on what really matters. It’s all about love. God hates nothing he has made, as today’s prayer reminds us. Lent gives us an opportunity to ignore all the things that distract us from God’s grace and mercy.
I’m so glad to have this season dedicated to prayer, to scripture reading, to reflection, to self-denial, and to repentance. Difficult? Perhaps. Joyful? Absolutely! As my friend Fr. Tim Schenck says, “What could be more joyful than returning to Jesus?”
Christianity is a team sport. I hope you’ll find your way to a local church. If they have Lenten offerings, try them out.
At Forward Movement, we offer an array of tools to help you enter fully into this season. You can read Forward Day by Day, a simple daily devotion. You can pray the Daily Office, ancient patterns of prayer that sustain Christians around the world. Or you can still get an e-book copy of this year’s new Lenten devotional, The Disciple’s Way, offering daily reflections from church leaders vigorously encouraging you to be a disciple of Jesus.
I would be remiss if I also didn’t mention a lighter way to move through this holy season, Lent Madness, also known as the Saintly Smackdown.
However you choose to observe the season, I pray that Lent is a blessing for you. It might just provide the anchor you need to remember that God loves you and everyone else. If we can remember that, we can be bearers of God’s beautiful mercy and grace in this world.
Yours faithfully,
Scott Gunn
Executive Director
More from our ministry:
Get to know God better: Devotions for People Who Don’t Do Devotions
Prepare for Easter: Order your colorable Alleluia calendar
Travel through scripture in this season: The Path