When you reach the winter of life, every day is a gift. Even in times of crisis, in days of distress, mourning, loss, anger, there is good in each of them. Being in the season of Lent, we are to look inward. We should become aware of our sinful nature and hearts that have grown cold over time. We should ask God for forgiveness and to give us a fresh start. It is a time of repentance, humility, sacrifice, and realizing how much we need a Savior. Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness before beginning His ministry and this can serve as an example for us for observing this season if we’re doing it for the right reasons.

Matthew 6:16-18 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,  that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

As followers of Christ, we should try to live as He did when He walked the earth. Because we are by nature sinners, this is next to impossible but through His unconditional love, we have the knowledge that He has done it all for us. Still we should observe this season with reverence to our God and out of obedience to Him.

We are now in a time when we need to hear the Gospel message more than ever. We feel like lost sheep in search of green pastures. We long for face to face contact – touch – fellowship – friendship – family. We are a hurting people in need of something far greater than any vaccination – a balm for healing our hearts, our sadness, our longing, our feelings of hopelessness. If we’re going through the motions of giving up, fasting, worshipping publicly, in order to look good in the eyes of our fellow man, we’re mistaking the true meaning of repentance. In fact, the act of church attendance is not what’s going to save us, nor is our sincerity, our pride, our knowledge, or our acts of contrition. Only the sacrifice made by Jesus/God Himself will bring about our salvation.

Yes we should look inward. We can study God’s Word for the truth. We can share the love that God has shown us with others. We can be grateful for each morning we’re given. Our time on this planet spans a very short period of time. What we do with those moments are important, but they aren’t going to buy a place in eternity. Only Jesus can make every day a great day, because He has given us eternal life.