This year, the Methodist theme for Lent is Unbounded Love. God’s love does not stay within the boundaries. We are reflecting on God’s love for us and for all, beyond the lines. As we prepare our hearts and minds for the mystery of the Resurrection, we are more reliant on God’s unbounded love in our day-to-day lives. We need to experience God’s sacrificial love in our lives by
trusting in Him alone. Where there is God’s divine love, there is forgiveness through and in Jesus Christ.
The time of Lent gives us an opportunity to reflect and meditate onour spiritual journeys. Reflecting on our own lives is not an easy task; we look at ourselves in the mirror, we pause and think, and accept that we have failed in so many areas of our life. Accepting our mistakes is challenging and rectifying them is even harder. The most difficult part is to take a decision to change, adopt the change and develop the change within our lives.
Paul writes, in his epistle to the Ephesians, to “put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires” and instead, strive to “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (NIV).
An important change we can make in our lives, and a way to “put on the new self”, is to forgive others. In Genesis, the life story of Joseph is a great example of forgiveness as he chooses to forgive his brothers. During all the stages of his life, Joseph was faithful to God and he chose forgiveness towards his brothers instead of spiteful revenge.
This Lent, let us reflect on our own lives and spiritual journeys. Let us break away from corrupt thoughts and attitudes, and try to embrace a new change and a positive way of thinking. Let us try and adopt the change for our own peace, and adopt a forgiving nature to strengthen our relationship with others and with God. Let us learn to be kind and compassionate, and forgive others, as God in Christ forgave us.