For forty days the church and most dedicated Christians observed Lent by denying themselves certain pleasures or foods. But what happens after our Easter celebrations of rejoicing? What are we expecting to see now? What did we pray for or about during Lent? In what areas of our lives, ministries, service, personal spiritual growth, family lives– have we grown? Where and how have we been challenged? How did we overcome or not overcome? Did our Lenten sacrifices produce any fruit or revealed to us our “growing edges?” How did we express our kindness or generosity in any charitable way or for the enhancement of the Gospel of Christ in the earth? (It’s not too late.)
It occurred to me that we needed to consider the worth and value of this annual exercise and spiritual practice to see how/what we have not only given up, but to give thanks for what we have overcome or received. For myself, I believe I was granted victory over certain obstacles that were blocking certain business transactions I was facing. –I was given courage and strength, and new level of “trust” that showed me that after all my prayers, fasting, meditations, etc., I needed to TRUST more and not be afraid of failure.
LET US NOT JUST “HANG UP” OUR LENT-EASTER SPIRITUAL DEVOTION AND DEDICATION and leave it there until next year, but remember that after the celebration of His resurrection, Jesus appeared many times to His disciples and other witnesses. Forty days during His Olivet Discourse on the Mt. of Olives, Jesus was lifted up/ASCENDED above the clouds into heaven. The disciples were awe-struck as they gazed upward wandering “WHAT IN THE WORLD JUST HAPPENED!?” But an angel spoke to them telling them that this same Jesus would return in the same manner at an appointed time. Before being lifted up, Jesus told them not to leave Jerusalem until they were filled with the Holy Spirit who would empower them to spread the Gospel throughout the world.
SO, I WANT TO ASK US: “After our initial Salvation and Resurrection experience, how and for what have we been empowered to be and to do?” We may ask for and desire many things, but mostly—according to Jesus, WE NEED TO BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. On the evening of His resurrection, He appeared to them, breathed on them, and gave them His PEACE. We need HIS peace imparted into our hearts and minds. We should ask for His wisdom, the gifts and fruits of the Spirit, life abundant and life eternal. YES. There are some material/natural things we need, for which we need WISDOM and faith to receive, to manage, and to achieve. So, ask and it shall be given, seek and you shall find. Knock and it shall be opened to you…?
After the Ascension, then ten days later PENTECOST happened and the disciples who were gathered in the UPPER ROOM in Jerusalem, fasting, and praying, were filled with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit came upon them like a mighty rushing wind and filled them, so that they spoke in languages they did not know but understood during this experience. In closing, I encourage myself and others to reflect on, analyze, and give thanks for what you have received, how you have grown, and were empowered through the power of the resurrection of Christ from the dead giving birth to our Salvation, and all that has come to us through this.
Prepared by: Rev. Brenda R. Berry B.A., M.DIV. …Author: “Wisdom…Where Are You?” …Pastor Emeritus: Univ. Hts. Presby. Church/2019
