Dear COA family,
I don’t know about you, but I have been thoroughly enjoying the season of Lent so far.
The season of Lent is a time for us to cease from our own efforts and focus our attention on God. Fasts in various forms help us to turn away from pursuits that occupy our time and energy so that we can return to “a heart of worship”. Simply stopping to rest reminds us that life is not about chasing after achievements or accumulating possessions but growing in faith and trust in God.
And just like spring cleaning during Chinese New Year displays to us how much “junk” we have hoarded throughout the year, Lent shows us how much we have strayed from God’s will and commands to pursue our own priorities. Lent is thus a time of spring cleaning of our hearts. It is a time of repentance – of turning from our sinful ways, reliance on ourselves, and pride to seeking and pleasing God.
With the final day of CNY ending this past week, may I urge all of us to observe this season of Lent with renewed focus and vigour. Let us put aside the distractions and commit to our fasts and personal and corporate devotions to our Lord. Let us trust the Holy Spirit to work a new work in our hearts and lives through his word this season.
Another initiative that is most helpful to all of us is the daily devotions written by members of the church for the forty days of Lent. Each one details how various ones have been journeying with God and experiencing his grace in their lives. We can learn very much and be greatly encouraged by their testimonies and sharing of God’s goodness.
In fact, an ex-member of our church tells me he continues to follow the devotions closely even though he is now in another church. And the devotions have been particularly encouraging to him because they have been written from lived experiences instead of simply theological expositions of Scripture. They are better than any devotional guide produced in the market!
To conclude, all that God has given to us is for our good and edification. James 1:17 says,
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
The season of Lent is also God’s good gift to us. Let us receive it gladly and observe it so that the full blessings of God might come upon us.
God bless,
Revd Ian