Chardon United Methodist Church

I love the season of Lent, as it is a great time for reflection and growth. Lent is the season of 40 days that prepares us for Easter and greater understanding of the resurrection of Christ. Even more important, it helps us to reflect upon the meaning of Christ’s sacrificial death upon the cross for our sake.

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which recalls for us that we are mortal beings, who will someday die, but we have this possibility and hope for “eternal life” from which we do not die. Ash Wednesday calls us to reorder our lives through the symbol of ashes so that we are reminded that we do not have forever to get on the path to God.

The Sundays that follow Ash Wednesday are all designed in some way to help us accept God’s sacrifice for us. A list of the Sundays and the scripture lessons for each week are listed elsewhere in the Harbinger. As you reflect through the season, I have suggested that you carry a nail as a reminder of Jesus’ gift of love for you. We gave out nails on the first Sunday in Lent, February 21st. If you did not get a nail, feel free to pick up one at the church next time you are here. I am asking that you return the nail as a part of our Easter celebration.

During Lent carry the nail and reflect upon this:
We have a gift for you this Lenten season…a simple nail. However, we ask that you not use this for its intended purpose, to join two pieces of wood, or hang something on a wall. This is your devotional nail to remind you of the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. During this Lenten season you are asked to carry this nail with you in your pocket or purse, or place it where you will see it everyday so that as you see or touch it you will be reminded of what Jesus Christ has done for you. It is your personal reminder that Christ died that you might have new and everlasting life through the gift of HIS salvation. Pray and meditate each day during Lent that you might better trust God with your life. If you ever doubt your worth or doubt that you are loved, hold this nail for a moment and reflect:

“God so loved the world that he sent his son to die for us!
God so loves me that he sent his son to die for me!
I am a person of great worth in the eyes of God.
God loves me and there is nothing I can do about it.
I can’t make God love me more; I can’t make God love me less!
Jesus was not held to the cross by nails – but by love”

On Easter Sunday you are invited to return the nail to the church, perhaps with a note or prayer of thanksgiving about what the nail has meant to you during this Lenten season. Perhaps the nail will inspire or lead you to do some act of charity or mercy for someone who needs to know that God loves them and there is nothing they can do about it.

Have a good Lent and you will have an especially joyous Easter!
Pastor Dan