Fervent: Day Three of 40 Days of Lent
Good evening!
The word fervent is defined as:
fer·vent
/ˈfərvənt/ adjective
having or displaying a passionate intensity.
"a fervent disciple of tax reform"
In this season, so many start the year with New Year’s resolutions; some may still be going strong 6 weeks in. However, this season is also synonymous with those very resolutions dropping off and losing steam before Easter.
When you look at the motivations surrounding New Year’s resolutions, the desire is ALWAYS to create lasting change. Drop the weight, become more disciplined, start that new business, and become a better version of who you were in the previous year.
All admirable goals initially pursued with much fervency and desire. So why do 90% of people abandon these worthy goals within months of the New Year?
They obviously wanted to see the results in their lives.
They desired to see real change.
They started out with the best intentions.
According to Very Well Mind, Some reasons include the idea that
We're thinking too big.
We're not considering the 'why' behind them.
We may not be ready for change.
So why is this relevant to lent?
Lent is the solemn Christian religious observance in the liturgical year commemorating the 40 days Jesus Christ spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, before beginning his public ministry.
This is literally the commemoration of Jesus sacrificing 40 days of his life as led by the Holy Spirit. 40 days with no food and three attempts of Satan to derail him from the finish. After the final attempt of Satan to tempt Jesus, the Gospel of Matthew notes in Chapter 4, verse 11 that the angels came and ministered to Jesus.
For 40 days, Jesus committed to the path of hunger and thirst in His mortal body so that he would have the power to do the ministry he was called to do. After the trial by fasting, Jesus traveled out of the wilderness and started to preach:
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
The light of God shone in Jesus and the power to do the work came from these 40 days we are observing now. The fervency of his assignment was born here. It was empowered by supernatural guidance and victory over the temptation of the enemy.
As you read the scripture and pray tonight, consider the price Jesus paid and the sacrifice he was willing to endure to follow our Father. His obedience and commitment to the journey paved the way for the foundation of our faith.
See you in Day 4,
Olivia