A friend of mine is in the throes of buying a fence company. The current owner is holding it like a baby. Understandable. In essence, it is his baby. He built the company. Over time he has become weary of keeping up with technology as it relates to the business and marketing side of things, so it is not as productive as it once was. Thus, in the process of purchasing and acquiring this company, she is having to mend fences, as well as build bridges, in the hopes of being able to eventually build actual fences. This is a lot of emotional capital – but the end game is a win for all.
By first identifying where the company’s atrophy has taken place, she can then go about mending the figurative fences of the company. She is simultaneously building bridges of vision and hope for herself, as well as for him and the employees, current and future customers, and potential new partners.
For Christians, we are in the season of Lent. Lent is a time to mend fences and build bridges with our Lord and Savior. It is a season of reflection and preparation for the celebration of Easter. We reflect on our current relationship with Jesus. Are there things that stand in the way of a closer relationship with Him? Are we focused on following His direction? Are our motives pure? Do we have a clear picture of what Jesus did for us to show that He loves us and that we can live forever with Him?
Once we have identified places and areas where we are strong and areas we can mend and shore up, we can spend time doing just that. We can then build bridges that will better connect us with our Lord, and that will more strongly hold us on the road of life. In turn, we are given vision and hope for what the future in Christ looks like for us personally, as well as for what and where He may be directing us.
During Lent, some people fast or deprive themselves of things, which creates dependence on God so that His sustenance can be more purely felt. Some people dive more devotedly into spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and charitable service. These serve to develop habits that Jesus says in scripture will help us know Him and His love, better. None of these things “get us points” with God or help us earn salvation because that is obtained through His grace alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Why? Why go to the trouble of so much intentional introspection? Because Easter is coming! The grandest celebration of the Christian faith! Easter is the day that shouted to the world that Jesus was who He said He was…He raised Himself from the dead! This validated every promise He made about heaven and eternal life. And through His death, He mended our broken sinful fences and provided Himself as the bridge by which we can walk into eternal life with Him!
We should spend time in reflection and preparation so that we can truly celebrate every wonderful detail of Easter, including
Let’s dig into Lent so we can celebrate and party the way that Easter deserves!
