Lent: Understand Backward to Move Forward

This Lent, let us remember that when God looks at us, He looks at us with our future and not with our past, which is comprised of our history and layers upon layers of sins. So don’t give up on your journey towards God’s promised land, for God is never giving up on you!

We must know our roots and the vestige of who we are to know who we can be. Look inside to see what lies ahead.

The season of Lent is a very good period to retrospect and understand life backwards. Although we can contemplate everyday, Lenten season is the time for Christians to channel and focus most of our thoughts to the greatest love demonstrated by Jesus and the importance of humility for our proper growth.

Jesus loves us more than we can ever imagine! Some of us may not realize it now, but it’s okay. Our Lord God is patiently waiting for us to come home; and as He waits, His loving hands are at work in our lives for our good.

Imagine being betrayed by a loved one or a very dear friend. How painful is it? Judas did that to Jesus, who treated His disciples as His own family (Matthew 26:14). How about voluntarily taking on the punishment for something you did not do? Would you do it, to the point of being whipped? Jesus did more than that! He took all the whipping, wore the crown of thorns, was mocked at, carried the cross, and courageously allowed Himself to be nailed on the cross.

Can you see yourself washing the feet of your friends? Of course you can! (You may even think, “I can even manicure or massage them!”). Well and good! Jesus, the Most High, the King of Kings, demonstrated His humility by washing the feet of His disciples and wiped them clean. This King doesn’t love being in the seats of honor, instead, He loves serving others.

Jesus our Lord did all these things that we may do the same to our brothers and sisters. As it is written in John 13:

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

Humility is the mother of all virtues. It is through humility that we learn and we grow. With humility, we become generous and grateful. Because of humility we diligently work and give credit to whomever credit is due. Humility fuels us to love selflessly and genuinely.

Humility brings us more friends and wealth after we learn to righteously deal with others and after we nurture a big heart. It makes the last first and the servant greatest.

Whatever our status in the society is, in the eyes of God, we are all His children and are all given the opportunity to live a well-lived life. It is just up to us how we will live life—to obey God or trust our own wisdom.

Starting this Lent, may we take the time to open our hearts and open our Bibles to listen to what God is telling us. It is through prayer that we talk to God and it is by reading the Bible that we listen to God.

By listening to God’s word, we are able to know what is the real right and the real thing. With God’s guidance, we are able to establish our standard and parameters on how we must uprightly and joyfully live our lives.

As we know God more and more, we will realize that God is not a limiting Father. We will learn that God is the God of fun and freedom. When one knows what he must do, he can freely decide and act upon His decisions.

This Lent, let us remember that when God looks at us, He looks at us with our future and not with our past, which is comprised of our history and layers upon layers of sins. So don’t give up on your journey towards God’s promised land, for God is never giving up on you!

If you think you’re now on a boat rocked by huge waves, remember that God will never let you sink. If you think life is throwing you dirt to burry you, shake it off, step up, shake it off, step up until you emerge to the surface victoriously. God meets us at our point of need, and God is never early nor late to rescue us. God gives us the freedom to utilize the blessings we receive from Him, and more importantly, God is always on time to meet and save us.

Let us allow God hold us, instead of us holding unto God, for God never lets go.

Starve your body and feed your soul! A seed must first die in order to grow and continue bear fruit. In the same way, if we want to grow and continuously improve in any area of our lives, we must intentionally deny ourselves and willingly take up our cross daily. Simply put, we must be humble enough to acknowledge our need for God and confidently face each challenge life throws at us knowing God is always holding us.

Know God and His commands. God prefers obedience than sacrifice; acknowledgement than offering.

Let us check our hearts and know how we must live our lives.

In whatever situation let us all remind ourselves, WWJD--"What would Jesus do?"

Enjoy your quality time with our Creator and Savior! Blessed and meaningful Lenten season!

~Ut In Omnibus Glorificetur Deus~