Lent Question--a devotional

We are now in the Season of Lent.

Lent has nothing to do with what is found in your belly button!

Lent is about what is in your heart...in your soul.

Lent is about the Cross of Jesus Christ!

I want to pose a question about the Cross of Jesus. It is a question based off of a statement by Thomas a Kempis, author of The Imitation of Christ.

Statement:

"Jesus has many lovers of His heavenly Kingdom, but few bearers of His cross"*

Quesion:

Are you and I one of the many or the few?

Explanation

Here's what that means: many of us want to live in Heaven; we just don't want to live like Jesus while on earth.

Reality

Living like Jesus is NOT about being nice. Sure, He was nice to people. But you don't have to be a Christian to be "nice" to people.

Living like Jesus means "bearing" your cross.

Bearing your cross means Jesus is your life, people are your burden, and sin is your enemy.

• If Jesus is not your life, what is? (What do you spend most of your time thinking about and doing? Whatever it is, that's your life!)

• If people are not your burden (meaning you hunger for them to be saved and discipled), than what is your burden..in other words, what is it you want most out of life?

• If sin is not your enemy, is it your friend (in other words, are you living comfortably and cozy in your gossip, lying, and cheating, etc? Do you like your sin or hate it?)

Yes, there is much to be loved about Heaven. But Heaven is only for those who "bear" their cross.

Is Jesus your life? Are people your burden? Is sin your enemy?

What's in your heart and soul this Lent season? The Cross?

May you and I be one of the "few", not the "many" (see original quote by Kempis above).