Today is Ash Wednesday and it is the day that the season of Lent begins. Lent recalls and celebrates the 40 days that our Savior spent fasting and praying in the wilderness, tempted by Satan, before he began his public ministry. During that time, Jesus demonstrated faithfulness and obedience to God as he denied the Devil's temptations and challenged him with the Word of God.

Throughout the centuries, Christians have observed Lent by typically "giving something up". It could be some time at the television or computer, sweets or chocolate or another activity that is rewarding and fun. This sacrifice usually has been understood to be an expression of faith in God and an act of discipline to remember both Christ's temptations in the wilderness and his death on the cross at Easter, which ends the season of Lent.

However, it is often easy to focus on what we do during Lent whenever we "give something up" instead of what God can do in our lives in this holy time of the year. Let me explain. In order to fill a glass with water, it must be empty. If it is full or nearly filled, it cannot receive as much as when it is empty. By our actions of devotion during this time of 40 Days of Community, God will touch our lives and fill our hearts with his compassion, grace and presence. Maybe God would be pleased more by your intentional and deliberate acts of love toward one another within the Body of Christ, the church, and toward those outside the community of faith. Perhaps that is what we should offer God this season of Lent. Perhaps that is what we should give God.

As we love in community- the church, our groups in the church and the world around us- God will fill our fellowship, our hearts and our ministry with his love. May your journey be a blessing,