Integrity- People of God

This is Lent Season; a time, forty days, of preparation before Easter. Acknowledging this season has become a tradition for many believers. This is a time that many people take to reflect on the life of Jesus and to humble oneself before God.

We can humble and discipline our body and soul through many different ways; such as abstinence which is self-denial of a favorite thing; fasting from food, drink, sugar, bread, or meat for example; in giving above and beyond our normal tithes and offerings as an act of worship to God; and in prayer -a time set aside to commune with God. Again, let us not get so restricted in our thinking that this becomes an area for the enemy to use for condemnation or we will get self-critical. Lent is a time we choose to voluntarily restrain ourselves as a time to think on the person of Jesus and remember the things He went through to restore us back into the family of God.

In a society where there is self-indulgence, even to the point of over indulgence, it is good for our body, soul and spirit to self-select out of the rat race of excess and extravagance. We see the benefits of self-discipline and control in the area of physical fitness and exercise. We can obtain similar benefits in our soul and spirit when we decide to humble ourselves and seek God in humility.

The Lenten season is a time that some believers set aside to humble themselves before God in recognition and thankfulness for the gift of our salvation, remembering Jesus the begotten Son of God, Who paid the price. This salvation is free to everyone but it was not without a high price to God, giving His Son to die.

To be humble, live humbly and walk in humility is a choice. In a society that exalts arrogance and pride, being humble and walking in humility is a choice that one must make. However, this choice does not come naturally. We know pride, arrogance and superiority is a result of the fall of man. Man was created to look like God but was marred and distorted by choosing to obey that fallen angel who was full of pride and haughtiness.

This may be why it appears The Lenten Season and Easter have become such a difficult time for the believers. The enemy does not want us to stop and have our mind stayed on Jesus; to ponder the goodness of the Lord in our circumstances or to give thanks to God because of what He has done for us. So Satan’s strategy is to keep our minds occupied with so many other distractions, problems and concerns, that our minds are filled with what we are lacking, our hurts, and our anger. The enemy knows we cannot worship and worry, we cannot praise while we are anxious. So if Satan can keep our eyes focused on our lack, we cannot truly give God reverence and praise that is worthy of Him.

God has no respect for person but He does have respect for His Word and those who humble themselves to seek Him. Moses was a meek and humble man but he was not weak. Please do not see this as some magic trick or gimmick that we perform to God bless us, because it is not. Meekness and humility are acts of self will, we choose to be modest, to be kind and gentle in our life style and we extend this to others even when it is not merited. This should not become legalistic, a process we feel we must to for God to bless us because it is not. We are already blessed and the beloved of God.

Numbers 12:3 Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.

Psalm 25:9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

Psalm 22:26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live forever.

Even though we are half way through The Lenten Season, we can still take time to remember what this season is all about. God has given us so many precious gifts through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Chris. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit we are really able to comprehend and receive God’s precious gift. This is a good reason for us to take time during The Lenten Season to quiet ourselves before God and thank Him for all we have in Christ.