Ash Wednesday. Lent isn't exactly a favorite season for most of us. Why do we give up meat on Friday? Because Jesus died on Friday, and we are asked to make a small sacrifice for love of Jesus. Once upon a time the church went vegan; now we are only asked to abstain from meat. You can do more if you want to, but you shouldn't do less.

God loves us and we love God. We find happiness when we are embraced by God. The Devil hates us and will do anything to separate us from God. He has two basic tactics:

• Attract us away from God with shiny things, girls, popularity, power and fun.
• Repel us from God with threats, fear, and intimidation.

Lent is about realizing that only God can make me happy, and I've started letting things get in the way of my relationship with God. What fears are causing me to run from God? What is attracting and distracting me from God? Reach past the distractions and reach for God. He's already reaching for you.

(10 Feb 2016)

Point to Ponder: When have I felt God's embrace? What did it feel like?

Point to Discuss: Discuss with a friend the sacrifices you have planned for Lent. Will they really bring you closer to God?