A Magnificent Season
By Sheryl Boldt
This Easter could be your favorite one yet. It could even be your favorite holiday ever.
Today, you can do something that will change the way you celebrate Resurrection Sunday. This practice will also bring a clearer focus to your life and noticeable peace and joy.
Before I tell you what, let me review a little of my backstory:
Years ago, anorexia nervosa totally consumed me. My only thought was how to lose another pound. The disease cost me everything, including my family, one job after another, my health and my sanity. I knew I had crossed the line when my desire to be thin became more important than my desire to please God.
Romans 8:5-6 (ESV) illustrates this well: “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”
Note the contrast. Which mindset best describes you?
It’s not hard to see what my mind was set on those many years ago. I missed out on a lot by spending so many years obsessing on things of the flesh (death). Had I chosen to live according to God’s Spirit (life and peace) even half as much as I pursued death, perhaps my first marriage would not have ended in divorce, and I could have raised my children.
What is your mind set on? If it’s “on things of the flesh,” what are you missing out on? What have you already missed out on?
We’ve entered the magnificent season of Lent – a perfect time to draw nearer to God with our hearts, minds and souls. Lent is a season to help us prepare for Easter, no matter our church denomination.
At the beginning of each week for the rest of the Lenten season, let’s decide what we’re going to do to prepare our hearts for Easter. Maybe we could join a Bible Study, have a quiet time with God every day or pick a verse to meditate on each day.
During our time with God, let’s ask Him to help us take an honest look at what fills our thoughts (and what drives us) – and pray for His help where needed.
If we do this, week-by-week, we’ll experience greater focus, peace and joy. Most of all, we’ll know our Father on a deeper level and feel closer to our Savior. Then we can celebrate Resurrection Sunday like never before.
Sheryl H. Boldt writes fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. Her weekly devotions appear in 31+ newspapers. She is also the author of the blog, www.TodayCanBeDifferent.net. Connect with her at [email protected].
