Lent: A Glorious Failure

You know what?

I didn't do such a great job of my Lenten plan.

But you know what else?

It doesn't really matter.

Not because Jesus doesn't matter, or because it is okay to make commitments and then blow them off.

It doesn't matter because my inability to follow-through on something as simple as starting my day off with Jesus doesn't actually affect my identity. That is what Easter is all about.

My pastor preached a great sermon (bottom right corner of the page, or you can find it on iTunes) from one verse on Sunday. He broke down Romans 8:1 into four fantastically simple parts, which we discussed last night at my small group. Here is a super-brief summary:

Therefore - in light of chapters 1-7...(good chapters, folks)

there is now - now: already, so soon, at this very moment AND finally, after waiting so long

no condemnation - we no longer need to fear judgment from God. At all. God gave us his best when we were at our worst, and we are free.

for those who are in Christ Jesus - implies that there are those who are not in Jesus. BUT that there's an offer out there if we want to be in him.

No condemnation.
Even for failing at Lent.

Today is a new day, and I think it's going to be a good one.

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