2017 Belmont University Lenten Devotional Guideنمونہ

Many people might find reason to dread Lent because they see it as a season of avoiding. Some avoid social media while others avoid sweets. Some take a Lenten promise to do something extra every day, be it expressing gratitude or reading the Bible. Some hold steadfast traditions which forego meat on Fridays and still others do nothing but acknowledge Ash Wednesday, if they do anything, that is. Whatever your personal tradition is, the Lenten season should be one of remembrance, reflection, preparation and confession. It is a season of our personal sacrifices and of commemoration of the greatest one—Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. And it seems to me that the root of the Lenten season is one of refocusing our sights, needs and affections on Christ Jesus. In the day-to-day bustle of the 21st century, the world moves quickly. We rush from place to place, fill our schedules past the brim, ignore responsible sleep schedules and drive over the speed limit. We lack patience and, sometimes, kindness. The majority of us have seemingly all the answers to every question in the palm of our hands. So often, we find ourselves forgetting what’s important. Family. Friendship. And the first thing for so many of us to forget, I find, is that God is with us always. Watching us always. Supporting us always. Assisting us, always. We might find it easy to forget about our faith except in times when life feels like a storm; we need help from our God, so we look to our God. But God sent His Son to absolve us of our sins, so that we might live in His glory eternally—not just when life is difficult. We owe our lives and our undying attention to such an extravagant gift. God does not slumber as He keeps us from all harm. He does not sleep so that He might perpetually watch us. Might we not try to return the favor? In this season of remembrance and preparation for Jesus’s greatest sacrifice, I urge you to remember to lift your eyes towards God a bit more often. God gives us strength and wisdom, joy and gladness, shade and protection. There is thanks to be given for the love and power that He blesses us with. And we are so unconditionally and undyingly loved by our Father that we owe Him unending appreciation. ABI INGLIS Junior Music Business Major