Greetings!

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. –Psalm, 51:10-12

The Lenten season is often viewed as a time of self-examination and self discipline, but Lent is also a season of renewal.

In the early church, Lent was a time of preparation for adults wanting to be baptized. This is why the scriptures we hear during Lent tell the story of how baptism transforms our beings and lives.

Just as Lent and Easter tell the story of Jesus’ death on the cross and rising from the grave. Our baptism tells a story of our daily dying and rising. The gift of grace that we received through the Holy Spirit in baptism is constantly at work within us. It is putting to death our sin – everything that weighs us down or holds us back – and giving us new life to be in relationship with others and to live abundantly.

When we embrace this gift of renewal that we receive in baptism, we are freed and energized to share God’s love and infect others with the incredible new life that we have received.

How could your baptism be at work in you this Lenten season giving you renewal? How is the Holy Spirit restoring your being and your life? Let us take the opportunity this Lent to keep our eyes open to where God is at work within us and in our lives putting to death our sin and making space for new life!

In Christ, Pastor Kat