Lent: A Time to Return to God

Lent starts tomorrow. Can you believe it? 

Ash Wednesday is a day that begins a period of 40 days that the church has set aside as a time to fast, pray, and abstain from activities and pleasures in order to draw closer to God. 

What does Lent mean to you? Is it business as usual? Some try to give up chocolate, television, or some other material thing that brings them pleasure. I think Lent is about more than that. Lent is a time to cut back on activities and fleshly pursuits, as well as food, so that we can use that time to reflect and connect more with ourselves, with God, and with others. 

What better way to do this than reflect on the person of Jesus Christ? After all, he is the embodiment of God and by studying his life, his words, and his actions, we can learn how to treat others, how to live an honest and holy life, and how to love ourselves in a balanced way. People are seeking God in all sorts of ways, but why do so many ignore the very person of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God?

Jesus is Our Example 
Jesus is the perfect example of a life well-lived; a life of service and sacrifice. Jesus knew his purpose in life and dedicated each day to fulfilling it. He made it a priority to heal, to help, to encourage those who were hurting. He was a friend to the poor, the outcast, and the lonely. Most importantly, Jesus followed the will of God, and not his own will, straight to the cross. Guiltless, he paid the penalty for all of our sins in one sacrificial act of atonement.

Isn't that the truest example of love? To sacrifice yourself for someone else? Denying oneself not just of pizza or chocolate, but to lay down one's very life for another. To follow the will of God? Jesus gave his life so we could be set free and forgiven from ALL our sins, mistakes, guilt, shame, insecurities, doubts and fears. Think about that for a bit.

For Reflection 
If you have not considered Jesus lately, dear one, I encourage you to make time to get quiet this Lenten season and do so. Jesus is not just some teacher or prophet. He is so much more than that. He is a friend who stays closer than a brother. He is our peace and our hope. He is the incarnation of God on earth and he died to remove the veil from our eyes so that we can have true peace, joy, abundance, and a life that exceeds our wildest dreams!

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Stay tuned for more on igniting the power within and until next time,

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

The Favor of God

Have you experienced the favor of God recently? I'm sure you have but are you aware that you have? It wasn't until a few years ago that I became familiar with the favor of God. A Christian friend of mine kept pointing it out whenever we were together and something good would happen.

A parking space, front row seats, finding a $20 bill in the street, a stranger providing directions at a timely moment, a package or unexpected gift showing up in the mail when I'm having a tough day; these are all examples of the favor of God.

Last night I was out to dinner with some friends. We were at a casual Italian place and the tables were few and far between as it was a saturday night. We had a party of 7. As we were greeting each other, a coworker of mine walked up to say hello. "What are you doing in this neck of the woods?" he asked. "We're celebrating a friend's birthday and then going dancing," I replied.

Right about then, one of our party suggested we capture a table. There were only single tables that sat 4 people available. As we were pulling out extra chairs and trying to decide how to accomodate everyone, my coworker and his wife, who were in the middle of eating their dinner, pack up their food and plates and move to another table so we could pull the two tables together. Now what are the chances of running into someone I know, who lives in a totally different part of town, being at the same restaurant at the same time, offering to give up a table for us? I ask you!

Now some might call it serendipity, good luck or coincidence, but I know better. When it happens over and over again, it is not chance, dear reader. I know God's hand in action and I believe in giving credit where credit is due, you know what I mean?

God loves us; that is the bottom line. When you are walking with God, it's like Christmas everyday. You never know when he is going to surprise you with some blessing. Today I encourage you to look out for God's favor. Be thankful and realize how much God truly loves you!