The Critical Season Before Easter
What are you doing to prepare your heart for Easter?
Today, you can do something that will change the way you celebrate Resurrection Sunday. This practice will also bring a clearer focus to your life and noticeable peace and joy.
Before I go into more detail, let me review a little of my backstory for those who are new to my column:
Years ago, anorexia nervosa totally consumed me. My only thought was how to lose another pound. The disease cost me everything, including my family, one job after another, my health and my sanity. I knew I had crossed the line when my desire to be thin became more important than my desire to please God.
Romans 8:5-6 (ESV) illustrates this well:
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Note the contrast. Which mindset best describes you?
It’s not hard to see what my mind was set on those many years ago. I missed out on so much by spending years obsessing on things of the flesh (death). Had I chosen to live according to God’s Spirit (life and peace) even half as much as I pursued death, perhaps my first marriage wouldn’t have ended in divorce, and I could have raised my children.
What is your mind set on? If it’s “on the things of the flesh,” what are you missing out on?
What have you already missed out on?
We have entered the beautiful and significant season of Lent – a perfect time to draw nearer to God with our hearts, minds and souls. Lent is a season to help us prepare for Easter, regardless of our church denomination.
At the beginning of each week during the rest of this Lenten season, let’s decide what we’re going to do to prepare our hearts for Easter. Maybe we could join a Bible Study, have a quiet time with God every day or pick a daily verse to meditate on.
During our time with God, let’s ask Him to help us take an honest look at what fills our thoughts (and what drives us) – and pray for His help where needed.
If we do this, week-by-week we’ll experience greater focus, peace and joy. Most of all, we’ll know our heavenly Father on a deeper level and feel closer to our Savior. Then we can celebrate Resurrection Sunday like never before.
What about you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this post. (Others might also benefit from your comment.)
- Which mindset best describes you? Do you focus more on the things of the flesh – or of the spirit? Consider asking the Holy Spirit to help you answer these questions honestly.
- If your thoughts are filled with the things of the flesh, what are you missing out on? What have you already missed out on?
- What are going to do this week (and the next several weeks) to prepare your heart for Easter?
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Let’s set our minds on the Spirit, which is life and peace! Thanks for once again helping us focus on things from above, Sheryl, and being so candid with us about your past to give us hope in what God can do to redeem our lives today! Let’s focus on the Lord especially during Lent and appreciate all He has done for us, and will do in our lives ahead! Thank you Jesus! ✝️
Thank you so much, Kim.
Amen! Praise God, indeed, for all He has done and will continue to do in our lives!
It’s wonderful to be reminded about the things which are truly important.
I plan on spending more time with Jesus and His Word.
Have a wonderful day and let’s continue to praise our Savior.
Spending more time with Jesus and His Word ~ and continuing to praise our Savor ~ is a great plan, Sandra!
Keep us posted on how you’re doing with your plan if you care to, that is. 🙂
I pray that I am walking closer to God. I have gone through a lot of changes the past year and a half. I am slowly seeing how God is growing me in the changes. Even thoughI cannot see the final results. Through daily quiet time i am growing closer to him.
I relate to your comment so much, Susan. I have been going through a very challenging season for a few years. Thankfully (as you, Susan), I am seeing how “God is growing me” through this!
Let’s continue to pray for each other, dear sister!
Your comment is so wonderful. Isn’t wonderful that during a difficult time can draw us closer to the Lord.
Keep going.
I agree, Sandra. And I remain eternally thankful for God’s sweet compassion!
What are going to do this week (and the next several weeks) to prepare your heart for Easter?
Thank you for this reminder to be more intentional about focusing on Jesus during Lent. I have done that more in the past when I had a wonderful 40 day devotional book for Lent and at another time I did a Bible study workbook about the blood of Christ. I am now involved in an online Bible study and a separate church Bible study so I don’t have as much time to do other personal studies But what I am doing is trying to be more intentional in telling others about Jesus or praying with them whenever and wherever as needs are observed.
Wow!! What a great way to prepare your heart for Easter, Janice … telling others about Jesus and praying with others whenever possible. Well done!
What a terrific reply.
Hi, Sandra. Love your interactions with those who comment.
Interesting timing on the article. Just this week the family was talking about how people do not seem to prepare for Easter anymore. This is not me, but a millennial reminiscing about how when she was a child, before Easter people would go out and buy a new hat or dress for Easter Sunday. I am not advocating that this is something necessary or recommended, but it was one way people used to focus on newness, rebirth, dedication, and anticipation. It was a way to show to others the freshness of a new start. Perhaps we can find a way too to show the same that might be no cost or less materialistic, but express our outward enthusiasm for the Easter season.
Indeed. I have fond memories of shopping for a new dress and shoes the week before Easter as a child. Yet, my most fondest memories are those of preparing my heart for Easter with fellow Christ followers! At a church in Baton Rouge, Victory Harvest, we would fast and gather nightly to pray. It was life-changing!
Thank you, Robert. It’s always nice to see you at Today Can Be Different.
I also remember shopping for a new outfit and shoes. It was a very special time to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ.
Things have drastically changed over the years.
Indeed they have, Sandra. Sadly!
Thank you, CROSSMAP, for making “The Critical Season Before Easter” an Editor’s Pic and featuring this devotion in their minsitry email!