{"id":1036,"date":"2010-02-18T03:01:05","date_gmt":"2010-02-18T03:01:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/2010\/02\/lenten-inspiration-from-the-high-calling.html"},"modified":"2010-02-18T03:01:05","modified_gmt":"2010-02-18T03:01:05","slug":"lenten-inspiration-from-the-high-calling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2010\/02\/lenten-inspiration-from-the-high-calling.html","title":{"rendered":"Lenten Inspiration from The High Calling"},"content":{"rendered":"

Return to the Lord<\/h3>\n

READ Joel 2:1-32<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0That is why the LORD says,
\n\u201cTurn to me now, while there is time.
\nGive me your hearts.
\nCome with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
\nDon\u2019t tear your clothing in your grief,
\nbut tear your hearts instead.\u201d
\nReturn to the LORD your God,
\nfor he is merciful and compassionate,
\nslow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
\nHe is eager to relent and not punish.<\/p>\n

Joel 2:12-13<\/a><\/p>\n

Today is the second day of Lent. I am not planning to pursue a Lenten theme in my Daily Reflections throughout the days leading up to Easter, at least not this year. But I do want to reflect a bit on the spiritual reality of which Lent is an expression.
\nI should say at the outset that I was not raised in a Christian culture that recognized Lent. Since there is no biblical imperative concerning this season, Christians are free to acknowledge Lent or not, guided by their churches and theological traditions. Moreover, those of us who practice Lent are free to do that which seems most edifying. Many Christians engage in some sort of Lenten fast, a giving up of something in order to focus more intentionally upon the Lord. Others take on an additional discipline in Lent, perhaps joining a Lenten Bible study or an outreach ministry that feeds the hungry. (For more information about Lent and its potential for your life, see my series: How Lent Can Make a Difference in Your Relationship with God<\/em><\/a>.)
\nLent is most of all a season of preparation, a time in which we get ready for a deeper and truer experience of Good Friday and Easter. In Lent, we reflect upon our need for God and his salvation. It\u2019s a time to remember, as my mentor Lloyd Ogilvie has often said, \u201cWe have a great need for God, and a great God for our need.\u201d
\nLent is a time for us to respond to God\u2019s call to Israel through the prophet Joel: \u201cTurn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don\u2019t tear your clothing in grief, but tear your hearts instead\u201d (2:12). We return to God, not in the fear that he will wipe us out, but in the confidence that God is \u201cmerciful and compassionate, slow to get angry, and filled with unfailing love\u201d (2:13).
\nThe main point of Lent is not what we do, but who God is. Lent is not primarily a matter of giving something up or taking on something new. Rather, it is a time to focus on God and his mercy, and, in light of this truth, to acknowledge our need for God and his mercy.
\nNo matter what you do\u2014or do not do\u2014during the next six weeks leading up to Easter, may this Lenten season be a time of recognition and preparation. May you be reminded of your great need for God and the fact that there is a great God for your needs.
\nQUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION<\/strong>: Did you grow up with any experience or impression of Lent? If you have recognized Lent, what have you done? Has Lent helped you to grow in your relationship with God? Why or why not?
\nPRAYER<\/strong>: Gracious and merciful God, I thank you for a special time of year that reminds me of how much I need you and how available you are for my need.
\nHelp me, dear Lord, to make the days until Easter a time of turning to you, opening my heart to you, confessing my sin to you, and relying on your grace. Help me not to get caught up in the details of what I give up and what I take on. Rather, may these be signposts that point me to you and a deeper relationship with you.
\nHow true it is, Lord, that I have a great need for you. And how much truer that you are a great God for my need! All praise be to you! In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen<\/em>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Return to the Lord READ Joel 2:1-32 \u00a0That is why the LORD says, \u201cTurn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don\u2019t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.\u201d Return to the LORD your God, for he is merciful and compassionate,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1036","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-holy-week-easter"],"yoast_head":"\nLenten Inspiration from The High Calling - Mark D. 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Roberts","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","caption":"Mark D. Roberts"},"description":"The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a pastor, author, retreat leader, speaker, and blogger. Since October 2007 he has been the Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge, a multifaceted ministry in the Hill Country of Texas. Before coming to Laity Lodge, he was for sixteen years the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California (a city in Orange County about forty miles south of Los Angeles). Before his time at Irvine Pres, Mark served on the staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as Associate Pastor of Education. (Thanks to Janel Pahl for taking the photo to the right.) Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Mark has written several books, including No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer (WaterBrook, 2005), Dare to Be True (WaterBrook, 2003), Jesus Revealed (WaterBrook, 2002), After \"I Believe\" (Baker, 2002), and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (Word, 1993). His most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Crossway, 2007). He is currently working on a commentary on Ephesians that will be published by Zondervan in 2014. Mark writes a devotional for The High Calling of Our Daily Work, a website associated with Laity Lodge. His \"Daily Reflections\" can be viewed online or sent as a daily email. If you wish to receive this email, just visit TheHighCalling.org and sign up. Mark serves on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine, where he publishes articles and reviews, including his regular column \"Lyrical Poetry.\" Additionally, he has published dozens of articles in leading magazines and journals. He often speaks for churches and other Christian groups, and has been interviewed on over seventy-five radio programs nationwide. Mark is married to Linda, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Spiritual Director, and a retreat speaker. They have two children, Nathan and Kara.For Publicity Photos and Bio Statements for Mark, please check here. Mark's Dossier Professional History: Senior Director and Scholar-in Residence, Laity Lodge, October 2007 to present. Senior Pastor Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007 Adjunct Assistant Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007. Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Adjunct Instructor San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001. Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis Associate Pastor of Education First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987-1991 Teaching Fellow Harvard University, 1980-1983 Education: Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. Harvard University, 1992. Area: New Testament and Christian Origins M.A. in the Study of Religion Harvard University, 1984. A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy Harvard University, 1979. Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Crossway, 2007 No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer. WaterBrook, 2005 Dare to Be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty. WaterBrook, 2003. Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better. WaterBrook, 2002. After \"I Believe\": Experiencing Authentic Christian Living. Baker, 2002. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator's Commentary Series. Word, 1993. Contacting Mark: You can reach Mark at: E-mail: mark@markdroberts.com mroberts@laitylodge.org Phone: Laity Lodge: (830) 792-1216 Address: Laity Lodge 719 Earl Garrett Kerrville, TX 78028","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/author\/mroberts"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1036","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1036"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1036\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1036"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1036"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1036"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}