February is over. March has begun. Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, and the Season of Lent will begin. Time is moving on!

On Wednesday we will receive ashes on our foreheads with the words, “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”

Ashes remind us that our life has an end, that we need to ready ourselves to meet God. The Gospel reading this coming Sunday tells us the story of how Jesus spent the 40 days before He began His ministry.

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. Luke 4:1-2a

Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit from His Baptism at the river Jordan.

All who are Baptized, including you and me, are filled with the Holy Spirit.

Then it says He was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert for 40 days.

On Ash Wednesday the Holy Spirit will lead each of us into the 40 days of Lent.

And that Gospel verse ends with “to be tempted by the devil.”

We too are tempted by the devil and need to be aware of that so we can fight the temptations with the Holy Spirit’s help.

During the 40 days of Lent we focus on Praying, Fasting, and Almsgiving.

Did you know that it only takes 21 days to form a habit? Lent is 40 days, so think of the possibility!

This morning I found myself unexpectedly sitting and waiting, so I thought about all that I want to commit to doing for Lent.

I’m going to pray Morning and Evening Prayer every day.

I’m going to do an hour workout every day.

I’m going to fast from all sweets.

I’m going to fast from all alcohol.

I’m going to do creative things like crafts and drawing.

I’m going to summit one local mountain each week of Lent.

I’m going to read for an hour each day.

And I’m going to get back to learning and practicing the ukulele every day.

Good grief!

That is a list to set myself up for failure – the devil would love that!

For the next couple of days, I’m going to ask Jesus what He’d like me to do for Lent, then I’m going to listen.

Let’s let the Holy Spirit lead us into the 40 days of Lent.

Instead of making impossible Lent To Do Lists, or giving up things that won’t help us grow in our relationship with Jesus, let’s let the Holy Spirit lead us on this pilgrimage of Lent, which will end by bringing us new life in our relationship with Jesus at Easter. 

Blessings of the Holy Spirit!